School supplies for kids. It breaks my heart to think of all the low-income families who have to go

[Beausoir]

without.

I have 5 kids. Each kid gets a different page long list of required school supplies. I can afford it but the cost is simply astronomical. It really is.

I completely understand that school budgets have been slashed for years ( I am a former teacher) but ferpete'ssake...what the hell is wrong with using pencils, notebooks and pens?

Do we HAVE to have the dry erase markers and boards?
Do we HAVE to use mechanical clicky pencils instead of the regular #2's?
Do we HAVE to have the twistable crayons instead of a pack of Crayola? (Yep, twistables are mandatory. I don't know what they do with kids who show up with regulars.:eyes:)
Do we HAVE to go only to Walmart to puchase a hanging recipe card holder? (?)

I hate to sound like scrooge, but I just came back from Target and I saw a crowd of people trying to figure out how they were going to pay for all of this.

Our local mall has a giving tree for school supplies and we stopped-off on our way back home and took care of some of the needs.

Just wanted to rant a little and perhaps maybe remind someone to make a donation to the school supply situation if you can afford it.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Our church is packing backpacks for the Friends of the Homeless

to get the kids off on the right foot. I agree with you, I think it is horrendous.

At the high schools here, I'm going to end up paying about $400 tonight for fees. That doesn't include supplies or clothing. Just the privilege of attending school.

I'm not looking forward to it.

[Beausoir]

4. Back in the day...I got a couple of notebooks and a box of pencils. End of story.

I sound like an old fogey, but wtf is wrong with using the chalkboard?

[Midlodemocrat]

8. Here's my thing about those dry erase markers.

All the new schools have them, but do they honestly expect us to believe that they are going to use up 25 boxes of markers in a year? Not seeing it. Especially when I used just one box of chalk during the course of a year.

(Disclaimer: Not a big chalk board teacher, used a lot of overheads)

[Salviati]

58. I'd believe it easy,

especially if the students are using group whiteboards. 6-7 groups of students using small whiteboards will use up markers fast, and that's not including markers that will get lost, taken, or damaged. 25 boxes a year sounds about right. If it's just a teacher using them, then it sounds a bit high, but not overly so.

[proud2BlibKansan]

61. The kids all use them; not just the teachers

But I never had my kids bring them; they are too expensive.

[RayOfHope]

74. Many elementary teachers use individual whiteboards for each student

for writing exercises. It does waste less paper, but the markers dry out very quickly.

[Midlodemocrat]

96. I can see that if each child has one, which honestly hasn't been

my experience. Our new schools are replacing chalkboards with them.

[RayOfHope]

104. I teach elem, and its really common.

I'm in the early childhood setting (pre k-1st) and nearly every teacher in the building has individual white boards for small group writing instruction in addition to the big whiteboards that replace chalkboards. They also use whiteboard easels.

[alarimer]

114. The school needs to buy that stuff

Why the hell do people pay taxes for, if it isn't used to supply schools with books and whatever else they need. Teachers and students should not have to pay for that stuff.

[proud2BlibKansan]

121. Our budgets have been cut so badly we can't afford to buy much

The money we get for our classrooms from the school district where I teach is used mainly for copy paper. Yes, we have to supply our own copy paper.

[alarimer]

145. I had heard that

It seems like our priorities are very misplaced. We have a school superintendent making 200K a year or more. That's a lot of copy paper. It's not right at all that schools should fund giant sports complexes and not have enough money for basic materials.

[SoCalDem]

109. Yes,, back in the day..

we got a mimeo (remember that smell:)..) and the list was very basic

pencils
any brand of crayons (if you were in elementary)
ink pens (fountain pens back then, baby)
Ink (bottles..black or blue only)
blotters
and the books from School Specialty IF we wanted them at home.. The books for IN SCHOOL USE were on each desk, and were for classroom only

You see, we had NO backpacks.. backpacks back then were for CAMPING...not for school.

The teachers had huge cabinets in each classroom was LOADED with stacks of paper & workbooks that were FREE..

There were also bins with crayons, painting supplies & pencils, in case you did not have your own..

[bobbolink]

115. Socialists! Commie BUMS!

"The teachers had huge cabinets in each classroom was LOADED with stacks of paper & workbooks that were FREE..

There were also bins with crayons, painting supplies & pencils, in case you did not have your own.."


ARRGGGHHHH!!! McCarthy was right! The Red Menace was in our schools!

Phew! That was close...


So glad we've come to our senses.....





need I add...

:sarcasm:

[Aviation Pro]

2. Big hearted, billionaires.....

...should start coughing up some bucks to pay for supplies for their future workforce. Oh, wait a second, I forgot, they're assholes so they won't.

Cue Dennis Leary, please.

[DKRC]

14. O thanks!

Now I've got Dennis Leary singin in my freakin head!
:evilgrin:

[SidDithers]

16. I drive really slow, in the ultrafast lane...

While people behind me are going insane...

I'm an Asshole!

Sid

[Javaman]

3. just another cottage industry to stress out the american public into thinking

they have to buy more and more and more.

I have several friends that are teachers and they tell me that half the garage that they are told that kids will need are never used.

I donate all sorts of school supplies but my close friend told me, just donate note books and pencils. At the end of the day, that's what everything comes down to. A kid forgot his or her pencil or they don't have anything to write on.

my two cents.

[Beausoir]

7. Yes, but in this case it is the teachers who are making these specific requests.

The boxes of Kleenex to share with the room I don't mind about.

It's all the ridiculously expensive markers, crayons, pencils, folders, etc., that are getting out of hand.

[Katherine Brengle]

32. Say no.

Seriously. That's the only way.

Tell the teachers all the parents will get together and pool a few bucks each for communal markers and crayons and such, and say not to all these ridiculous requirements.

[Javaman]

160. wow, that is crazy. nt

[Mythsaje]

5. Just another of the long line of expenses

we all have to deal with. What I find remarkable is the fact that they HAVE to be crayola. The other brand just won't do.

Target's a fairly good place to go for all this stuff. Prices are very reasonable. But, still, the supplies for one kid might run as high as $50.00 or more. The whole thing is getting out of hand.

I had two teachers show up the other day and buy a set of 8 of those plastic drawer stands...together they spent 160.00 of their own money.

[Beausoir]

9. Target is definitely much less expensive than OfficeMax.

At the beginning of every schoolyear I give a $20 giftcard to each teacher to help them defray the costs and cover any students who can't come up with the supply money.

I can imagine that those kids must be mortified when they arrive at school, emptyhanded.

Something has to be done about this.

[proud2BlibKansan]

126. I bought an air conditioner for my classroom with my own money

and a printer too. My district wouldn't buy me a printer for my computer (they expected me to use the printer in the office) so I decided to buy my own. I have to print out 17 page IEPs and it's just not convenient to go down to the office to do that.

So I decided to watch for a sale and I went to the computer store to buy my printer. I told the salesman it was for my classroom and he asked if I could wait a minute. So he went into the back room and came back with his manager. The manager visited with me for a few minutes, asked me where I taught, etc and then he said he would just sell me any printer on the sales floor at cost. I was floored. He said the salesman came and got him to ask if he could drop his commission off the cost to save me money. And he said oh we'll do better than that, we will give it to her at cost.

So I have a really nice printer in my classroom. :)

And there are still a few good people around who do try to help teachers.

[AZBlue]

148. It breaks my heart to hear stories like yours. I'm so glad they helped you out!

I know it's cliche, but teachers should be paid what movie stars and athletes are paid - and vice versa!

Thank you for your dedication!

[bobbolink]

200. I'm glad you got your printer. It really was no skin off the store's nose (eewwwww)

Unfortunately, it's the ink cartridges that will get you....

Here's hoping some nice community group will pick up those for you.

Better yet, we sell off a battleship or two and get everything your school needs! :hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

202. Just one battleship will do

or maybe one bomber plane. LOL

Thanks bobbolink!

[bobbolink]

203. You're welcome, and many thanks to you! I gotta keep it light,

or I'll erupt in rage.

Which doesn't work well in a library. :rofl:

Teachers (and poor children!) being crapped on is one thing that enrages me no end.

Wadda country....

:nuke:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. I think all school supplies should be bought in bulk by the district

And then sold to the students at their discounted cost. Imagine how much savings that might be per student.

It makes sense if you think about it. They Could provide packages that fit the requirements for each grade and know that the students all have the required materials.

I also think there should be state funding for qualifying children which cannot afford to pay for the packs.

Edit to add: There should be no sales tax applied to the packages.

[KittyWampus]

13. How about our tax dollars just buy the stuff (in bulk) and kids in public schools get

everything besides pencils and notebooks 'free'.

So I'm an idealist, sue me. ;)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

22. I agree, but I was more or less looking for a band aid until the stitches

Most schools are already so under funded they can't afford that right now. I was speculating based on that.

Edit: Corrected a typo.

[Gormy Cuss]

15. I think that all school supplies should be purchased by the district in bulk

and paid for by taxpayers.

Sending home a long list of supplies for public school students is ridiculous. Pens, pencils, notebooks or notepads should be about the extent of it. Everything else should be part of the school budget.

A few years ago I was doing work in a large public school system and at least a few students in each classroom would appear with no writing implements whatsoever. The teacher didn't have any to hand out either and that's absurd.

[Missy Vixen]

19. We're too busy rebuilding Iraq to buy school supplies

>Everything else should be part of the school budget.<

It might cut into the administrator's salaries, and we can't have that.

Julie

[Thothmes]

210. School Supplies

I fully agree with you that these items should be supplied by the school districts. But rebuilding Iraq has nothing to do with this problem. Families have had to provide school supplies for their children since at least from the early 50'S (when I started elementary school).

[Lone_Star_Dem]

26. You're 100% correct

But that would require action on a higher level. This is something that could be done on a district by district level w/o having to allocate funding via the state governments. Well, except for the part about funding for qualified students. That one was pretty much a pipe dream. :(

In other words. It's not a cure but it would be some help until someone gives a damn about our kids again.

[Gormy Cuss]

65. How it plays out here where the state controls funding

is that the middle and upper income areas vote for parcel taxes and special assessments for big ticket items like lowering average class size, supplement them with fees for participating in extra-curricular activities, fundraising by booster clubs to address smaller scale costs like classroom A/V equipment, and lastly by giving students "suggested" supply lists for classroom activities and the parents are scrupulous about getting Junior everything on the list.

In the big cities like Oakland and San Francisco, they are sometimes lucky enough to have a benefactor donate supplies through adopt-a-teacher or adopt-a-classroom programs but for the most part they just try to make do with as little as possible. It's scandalous IMHO.

[Donnachaidh]

98. "Suggested" supply list -- not here -- it's MANDATORY

I've just had to go out and buy several one ring binders, one for each class. ALSO notebooks, etc. Each teacher has his/her own list, and the kids are expected to bring in all of it by the end of the week.

How are these kids supposed to learn how to SIMPLIFY their lives and work habits with these anal-retentive mandatory lists?? :rant:

[qanda]

133. Sorry, I responded to the wrong post

[bobbolink]

63. Socialism! Socialism! Are you trying to kill free enterprise??

Of course it could all be done more simply and more efficiently that way.

But, we've spent decades now "privatising" everything... it would ruin the country to back track! :sarcasm:

[Phentex]

93. You joke, but I've heard this exact sentiment...

Some people are terrified the kids would all get the same stuff!

[bobbolink]

97. Heaven forbid "the kids would all get the same stuff!"

Equality.

What a damned pinko concept!

Fie on the Bill Of Rights, while we're at it!

They've just gotten more clever at doing the same things the Jim Crow laws were intended to do.'

We've come a long way, baby.....

:nuke:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

125. That's me

DU's resident socialist. :crazy:

:hi:

[bobbolink]

176. Oh, so *you're* the one killing the democrat party.

:rofl:

:hi:

[BluePatriot]

118. My middle school did that.

I remember buying the packages. Of course you could tell which kids had more money by having the neat customized Trapper Keepers and Lisa Frank stickers and such.

//i feel old, lol.

[proud2BlibKansan]

123. Some schools do that

The only problem is you need to have an employee supervise this store. It's a huge job. And I know at my school we just don't have enough employees to spare one to run a supply store.

[AngryOldDem]

196. My elementary school does this

At the end of the school year a form goes out that parents return with a payment, based on grade level. The rate is discounted; if supplies are bought when school starts, full price is paid.

There is a company that packages supplies in shrink wrap so everything that is required by grade is there, right down to the box of Kleenex.

I've always taken it on faith that these supplies are cheaper than taking a list and going to the store, but you can't beat the convenience of it.

[bleedingheart]

10. where do you live?

what do you have to buy dry erase boards and markers for? We use chalk

Our district told us..."no mechanical pencils... only #2's.."

Crayons are provided by the school

and what is a hanging recipe card holder for?

[Beausoir]

23. North Central MN, small town. And I have no idea what the recipe card holder is for.

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. To prop up a piece of paper or an index card?

That sure does seem like an odd item on a supply list.

If I was a principal, I would make up the supply lists myself and not let the teachers near it.

When I had my own classroom, this was the supply list I sent out:

Pencils
Something to color with - crayons or markers, whichever you prefer
2 notebooks
Backpack

That was it. (The other teachers thought I was crazy)

No scissors, no glue, no recipe card holder. I used my classroom supply money to buy those things. I don't like my kids having scissors or glue in their desks anyway - they are toys to many kids.

[tbyg52]

175. Same here

I almost always forget to even *mention* supplies, until somebody asks. Then I say, well, uh, something to write with, something to write on, something to keep them in.... ;)

[AwakeAtLast]

180. My first guess is vocab words

A lot of teachers in my building have their students make their own flash cards.

[Bjornsdotter]

11. My kids

....are both is college, but I used to do this....I would send a photocopy of all of the receipts for the supplies for that teacher's class in a sealed envelope with a short note on how I thought that Ms/Mr Teacher should be aware of how much was spent. Also included on the short note was a place for the teacher to sign....so I knew that they had read it.

Evil, maybe....but I always thought it needed to be done. :evilgrin:

Cheers

[Mind_your_head]

156. LOL

"Also included on the short note was a place for the teacher to sign....so I knew that they had read it."

:rofl:

[youthere]

164. THAT is an EXCELLENT idea!

I will be doing that this year. I think I will be sending a copy to the principals and the superintendent as well.

[sandnsea]

12. What is a twistable crayon

And why do kids need their own boards and markers? That list sounds like somebody who has stock in Mead.

[proud2BlibKansan]

46. Just like it sounds

The crayon twists up when you need more of a point. It is really just a regular crayon.

No I don't understand why any teacher would insist on these.

We use white boards and markers a lot. And those markers are very expensive. I can sort of understand putting them on a supply list. But you can go to Home Depot and buy a big sheet of white board and they will even cut it up into small pieces you can use in your classroom. Last time I bought a sheet, it was $20. And I got 20 smaller boards out of it.

[sandnsea]

73. But why

what is the board for?

And I cannot even believe regular crayons weren't good enough. Did they make them so they won't break? That would be an improvement.

[proud2BlibKansan]

120. Didn't you ever use a little chalkboard when you were in school?

For Math and Spelling and Handwriting? That's what we use them for. Like we might do a Math drill - have all the kids write down a problem and solve it and then show their answer to the teacher. Or we might be practicing Spelling words or dictate sentences for the kids to write down. We use white boards a lot. We stopped using chalk several years ago. Too many kids have asthma and the chalk dust is not good for them. Plus it's messy.

But like I said, I don't make my students buy their own white boards and markers. I used my classroom budget to buy the white boards a few years ago. And I can buy a bundle of markers at a discount. Also, I get a little more money for supplies than most teachers because I teach special ed and I have fewer students than a regular classroom teacher. But none of the teachers in my school make their kids buy their own white boards and markers.

[sandnsea]

153. No, never did

Problems were written on the main board and we took turns solving them. That or workbooks. I never had one of those little chalkboards at school, and none of my 4 kids did either. In 6 different states. No chalkboards. I guess it's just a different method of teaching.

[youthere]

165. The teachers like the twistables because they don't have...

paper for the kids to peel off or crayon "shavings" if they use a crayon sharpener.

[Missy Vixen]

17. We don't have kids and I'm appalled with you

>Just wanted to rant a little and perhaps maybe remind someone to make a donation to the school supply situation if you can afford it.<

We will be sure and donate some items when we go shopping this week. Even if we just spend $20, hopefully it'll get into the hands of someone that can't afford these supplies otherwise.

We don't have to buy the back-to-school items, but DH and I used to anonymously pick up the tab for one of the graduating seniors to attend the school's all-night party. This party is held to ostensibly keep the graduates out of parties that featured alcohol and off the roads, but we've never heard of more than half of the graduating class each year actually going due to expense. An admission to the party was $180 seven years ago, for instance. The cost of this party has skyrocketed. When we have tried to discuss coming up with a less-expensive alternative, we've been shot down repeatedly. We live in a rural area. Let's just say we've heard there's lots of drinking on Grad Night, so we make it our business to know when graduation is, and stay home as a result.

Julie

[JVS]

18. In my day we had 3 items: a slate, a piece of chalk, and a flail

[onethatcares]

20. and we walked 18 miles uphill to and from school

we had to get our own slates from the coal mines and eat tar as bubblegum. Yeah, you think the kids have it rough today?

[Beausoir]

24. Through knee-deep snow!

[left is right]

64. bare-footed and all up hill

both ways!

[JVS]

25. As my school chum Auggie once said...

"O God my God, what miseries and mockeries did I now experience,
when obedience to my teachers was proposed to me, as proper in a boy,
in order that in this world I might prosper, and excel in tongue-science,
which should serve to the "praise of men," and to deceitful riches.
Next I was put to school to get learning, in which I (poor wretch)
knew not what use there was; and yet, if idle in learning, I was beaten.
For this was judged right by our forefathers; and many, passing the
same course before us, framed for us weary paths, through which we
were fain to pass; multiplying toil and grief upon the sons of Adam.
But, Lord, we found that men called upon Thee, and we learnt from
them to think of Thee (according to our powers) as of some great One,
who, though hidden from our senses, couldest hear and help us. For
so I began, as a boy, to pray to Thee, my aid and refuge; and broke
the fetters of my tongue to call on Thee, praying Thee, though small,
yet with no small earnestness, that I might not be beaten at school.
And when Thou heardest me not (not thereby giving me over to folly),
my elders, yea my very parents, who yet wished me no ill, mocked my
stripes, my then great and grievous ill. "

[devilgrrl]

119. Say, is this what your bike looked like?

:silly:

[BlooInBloo]

21. Digby had an interesting post on this subject the other day...

... In case anybody's interested in what the best non-pro writer on the internet has to say...

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/why-paris-hilton-is-personally-making.html

[youthere]

27. What chaps my butt..

is the list of "supplies" gets longer every year, and the fees keep rising. I don't have a problem buying Kleenex and construction paper for the class, but why the heck are they still charging me a "materials" fee ( which, by the way, is $20 higher per child this year)? I'M providing all the materials!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

29. I've never heard of the material fees thing before

I think I'd have to ask the school board what exactly they're using that money for. It's your school and you do have that right.

[youthere]

34. The "materials fee" ...

covers the cost of construction paper, glue, white paper etc...except I'm providing those things this year.Doesn't make sense to me.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Me either

You know, back when my daughter was in school we (a group of parents and one eager reporter) exposed fraud within our district. Our superintendent resigned and was later brought up on charges over the ordeal.

I'm not saying that is the case here, but you do have a right to know exactly where that money is going.

[Donnachaidh]

30. ooohh -- high school is WORSE - I'm looking at lists right now

ONE class requires a *workbook* for $45, and software for $28! A MUSIC class! And I still haven't looked at the other class lists. I'm still picking carpet fiber out of my chin over the $73 due by friday for the one class.

I think I need to sit down and tally the whole thing up. :wow:

[Midlodemocrat]

33. I'm going to fee night in about 10 minutes

and expect to pay $400 for the sophomore and senior, just to attend the friggin' place. No supplies, no clothes, just fees to attend. :wtf:

And, the stupid PTA President wants to hold a fundraiser to erect a lighted marquis. Talk about friggin' clueless.

[youthere]

36. So much for that "free and compulsory education" federal law requires.

[Midlodemocrat]

38. I said this earlier, but the thing that bothers me so much

is that first time high school parents often don't know about the fees and are completely shocked by them.

When TeenMidlo went to high school, we went to orientation on the Friday before Labor Day and got a list of the supplies. Included on that list was a $100 graphing calculator.

Now, I had been warned that these fees were steep, so I was prepared, but I really think the school system should tell people what to expect. What if you have twins? Like a friend of mine does?

It's not fair to do that to people.

[youthere]

51. Exactly. I was prepared to pay about 1/2 of what the fees were...

that's how much they hiked them up.

[Katherine Brengle]

53. I've honestly never heard of this "fees" concept before today.

How can they legally do this?

I had to get the stupid fancy calculator in high school, but even then it was less than $50 - you didn't have to get the high end model, just a basic scientific calculator, and only if you were in certain level classes.

"Free and compulsory" indeed. If it's no longer free, then it shouldn't be compulsory (though I am guessing this is what the power structure would love to see happen).

[Bill McBlueState]

59. oh yeah, the graphing calculator

I love my graphing calculator. I got a high-end one for my sixteenth birthday, and it's sitting next to me as I write my doctoral dissertation post on DU eleven years later.

But unless you're pretty sure your kid's going to do math/science/tech stuff in college and beyond, that's a hefty chunk of money to put down for something she'll use in one or two classes. To make things worse, a lot of high school math teachers know as much about teaching math with a graphing calculator as the average 14-year-old knows about learning math with one -- very little.

[Donnachaidh]

105. Oh Yeah -- we got hit with the calculator cost too

If we buy it ourselves, it retails for $45. Just the calculator. I think many parents must have gone nuts and complained, because the school is offering a packet *with* the calculator for only $20 in the supply store. That's a big savings, but only for one class. I wish they had something like that for everything else.

Oh - and another little twist. A booster group had done some sort of fundraising deal to buy materials for the kids in the music class. That cost for workbook and software is $73 per student. Now, IF this group provided the materials with the funds raised - do you think the school would at the least give us a break? NO.

The school thinks WE should pay the booster group BACK at the full price. :wow: I want to know WHY the fundraising was done in the first place if the parents are still getting hit with full cost supplies?

:rant:

[Donnachaidh]

89. They told me they wouldn't do fundraisers IF we made a one time donation

of 35 bucks. Stupid me, I though WAHOO, no more wrapping paper, etc., which used to make my head spin. And I even had a quiet weekend thinking I'd saved some money -- yeah, riiight. I'm wondering when I'll be getting notices of *class trips* for foreign language that will run into the thousands. :eyes:

[Midlodemocrat]

94. I'll be honest and I'm sure I'll get flamed.

When I was the PTA President at the elementary school, we used the PTA money for programs for the children. We brought in plays, musicians, all kinds of things to expose kids to something besides the soccer field, which is all the parents here seem willing to spend money on.

Once I resigned due to health, it was a totally different story. The mantra was 'raise money, raise money, raise money', not for the KIDS, but so that the administration could report back to the county that they had 'acquired' a certain number of items to improve the quality of their school.

Most PTA Presidents have NO IDEA that they are violating the very tenets of the PTA if they seek to make their school stand out among the others in the area.

Try explaining that to a group of uber competitive soccer moms. It was not fun.

[proud2BlibKansan]

131. One of the few smart things my school district did

was adopt a policy restricting the number of fundraisers a school could hold per year. And they also restrict how each school spends that money.

[Midlodemocrat]

154. The National PTA restricts the number of fundraisers

to 1 per 3 programs for the children/parents.
Would love to see the stats on how many schools adhere to that.

[barbtries]

103. they do exist

my son was one of 50 students who were unable to make the 8th grade trip to washington dc two years ago.

[barbtries]

99. this is public school?

they can't make you do this. they can't turn your children away or refuse to educate them if you don't have that kind of money. heaven knows i'm miles away from being able to afford this, and i know i am not alone in dire straits.

[Midlodemocrat]

184. I'm actually contemplating a class action suit with a couple of friends.

Last night, there was an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair in the guidance office going over the fee list with her grandchild(?)

Okay, you can do one art, but not two and then a marketing, okay, okay. That's good. We'll have five dollars left for gas which will get us home.

I thought I would puke. It upset me so much, but I didn't want to embarrass her by offering to pay the fees. It was sickening.

The fees at my kids' high schools are also considerably higher than the other schools. Why? They go by median income. Except that as evidenced by what I saw last night, not everyone is at that level.

Something has to be done about this.

[proud2BlibKansan]

129. Those PTA fundraisers drive me crazy

My first teaching job was in a Catholic school and our PTA decided to raise money to buy playground equipment. A group of the teachers met with the PTA board and said we have swings and a slide, we don't need any playground equipment. But our library really needs more books. With the money they had raised, they could have greatly improved our library. But no, they insisted on paying to have the perfectly good swing set and slide torn down and replaced with some fancy new models.

[proud2BlibKansan]

128. Those materials fees are illegal

They violate federal education regs and many state regs too. When my kids were in school, I refused to pay them. And they stopped hassling me about them after a few years. Some parent is going to have to sue a school district and get them to stop charging those fees. Children in the US are entitled to a FREE and appropriate public education.

[Breeze54]

28. Many states have groups collecting school supplies- search your state!

Citizens Bank Launches “Tools for School” Program to Benefit BGCB
BGCB Members to Receive Backpacks Filled With School Supplies

http://www.bgcb.org/news_and_events/news_article.cfm?article=883B3A07-1721-11DB-9F8800508BF9E8E6

July 24, 2006

BOSTON, MA –

Citizens Bank has announced that it is launching a “Tools for School” program to benefit students in Boston. Twenty four branches in Boston, Charlestown Chelsea, Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury will be collecting school supplies such as notebooks, pens and pencils that will be donated to school children in need living in Boston and its neighboring communities. Donations will be accepted beginning July 24 and ending on August 14.

Citizens has purchased 1,500 backpacks and volunteers from the bank will assist in stuffing them with the donated school supplies. The backpacks will be distributed through Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s five clubs during the week of August 21. The clubs are located in South Boston, Charlestown, Chelsea, Roxbury and Dorchester.

“Citizens Bank’s ‘Tools for School’ program will make a difference for so many of our members because they will start the school year with the right tools and the knowledge that adults believe in their potential,” said Linda Whitlock, Nicholas President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. “These elements, along with their hard work, are vital to their success in school.”

“Many of us are fortunate enough to remember the feeling of excitement and anticipation that came every summer preparing to return to school – shopping for everything from shoes to clothes to school supplies,” said Robert E. Smyth, Chairman, President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Massachusetts. “Unfortunately, there are so many children who never know that feeling because for them, school supplies are a luxury. That’s why Citizens has designed the ‘Tools for School’ program to help them prepare for a year of learning by providing the tools they need to succeed in school.”

more...

------------------------

Or contact your local school and see if they'll take stuff!
I'm sure they'd know who needs supplies. ;)

[Katherine Brengle]

31. Every one of those requirements is absolutely ridiculous.

I don't know what else to say.

My daughter is not in school yet, but if I see a list that looks like that a couple of years from now, you better believe I'll be on the phone the next minute.

There is no reason to make school supplies prohibitively expensive.

#2 pencils, a black Bic pen, a notebook and a box of 12-24 crayons should be more than sufficient.

Older students - #2 pencils, black Bic pens, notebooks, a few 3-ring binders, and a calculator when needed.

And don't get me started on scientific calculators. Ugh. Like Einstein had a goddamn scientific calculator.

[fasttense]

35. TN has tax free weekend right before school starts.

Most counties and cities also participate so that there are no taxes on school supplies and clothes for the kiddies. Normally taxes run as high as 10% on such items. People near the border go to VA or North Carolina to make big purchases in order to avoid the huge taxes here.

[KatyaR]

70. I'm not sure how much good a tax-free weekend does.

We just had our first one in Oklahoma, and here's the list from the Tax Commission as to what was tax exempt:

Tax-exempt items
•Aprons, household and shop
•Athletic supporters
•Baby receiving blankets
•Bathing suits and caps
•Beach capes and coats
•Belts and suspenders
•Boots
•Coats and jackets
•Costumes
•Diapers, children and adult, including disposable diapers
•Ear muffs
•Footlets
•Formal wear
•Garters and garter belts
•Girdles
•Gloves and mittens for general use
•Hats and caps
•Hosiery
•Insoles for shoes
•Lab coats
•Neckties
•Overshoes
•Pantyhose
•Rainwear
•Rubber pants
•Sandals
•Scarves
•Shoes and shoe laces
•Slippers
•Sneakers
•Socks and stockings
•Steal-toed shoes
•Underwear
•Uniforms
•Wedding apparel

School supplies are not exempt. That means items such as pencils, crayons and paper are not included.

•The rules don't include handbags, jewelry, luggage, umbrellas, watches and other accessories, said Paula Ross, communications director for the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

•While sneakers and basketball shoes under $100 are tax exempt, other athletic footwear such as football and baseball cleats are not.

So school supplies were still taxed--but look at what's included in the exempt list. Adult diapers? Wedding gowns? Baby receiving blankets?

I'm thinking a bunch of lobbyists hit the jackpot.

[Lorien]

37. I just don't get it. I went to school in the 1970's, and I don't remember

bringing anything except notebooks, pencils, a three ring binder, and my textbooks all loaded into a backpack. Art supplies were supplied by the school, and there was never a demand to buy a particular brand at a particular store. Is this just bureaucracy run amok? Can you ask to speak to the school board about their absurd demands?

Granted, I went to a private school run by hippies throughout the elementary years, but even when I went to a public Junior high my supply list didn't change. I think that someone somewhere is just trying to justify their job with these absurd lists. :-(

[Katherine Brengle]

39. I just graduated in 2000 and I never had to bring anything other than

pens/pencils, paper, binders, a calculator for math class and my books.

It's happening quickly.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

42. I think it depends on where you are

Where I am this has been the norm since my daughter was in kindergarten and she's now a junior in college.

[Katherine Brengle]

45. Wow.

I guess we had it good. I will go apeshit if I get a list like that for my daughter.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

52. If you ever do get one

That's exactly what you should do. Our public schools are a great place to be politically active on a local level. Not to mention the fact that you can personally effect change much easier there than on a national level.

[Katherine Brengle]

54. Oh absolutely. If nothing else, it's just wasteful to require these things

when simpler items will suffice.

I'm going to talk to my MIL about this - she has 4 adopted daughters who are school age right now - maybe I can find out what the situation is before it gets here for us.

[proud2BlibKansan]

132. It's because of budget cuts

We just don't get the money for supplies we used to get. I have taught nearly 30 years and I am still amazed at how much less we get now than we used to get. 10 years ago every teacher in my school got $300 a year for general classroom supplies. This year, they got $75.

[Lorien]

163. Geez, that does make it tough to teach

and I see that you are in a red state, too. Amazing how most of the people having problems with this issue are in red states, eh? GOP "values" at work!

[proud2BlibKansan]

201. I don't teach in Kansas

[youthere]

166. I know that is happening in our district as well...

So why don't teachers just asked each of the parents for like, a 20 or 30 dollar gift certificate for the store of their choice? If I gave my kids teacher $30 and only had to buy a couple notebooks and some pencils I'd be in heaven!

I know, I know..parent's would be bitching about that too eventually. Plus it would give the teacher more to do. Sigh...can't win.

[kineneb]

150. also just paper, binder, pens and pencils

they were stored in each of our own desks that we sat in for that school year. In high school the stuff went into a backpack; the stuff you didn't take home went into your locker. No fees that I remember, but we didn't have much for field trips, and I wasn't in any sports.

[Lorien]

162. Heheh, we didn't have any desks at my elementary school

just a few big tables, and most of the time we just sat on rugs on the floor. Sometimes we had a semester in an old stable, sometimes in the woods. Our "school bus" for field trips was a VW flower power van (complete with prominent peace symbol). Yes, we actually did sit in a circle and sing "kumbaya"(sp?). It was a republican's worst nightmare, yet oddly enough most of the kids went on to ivy league universities and had successful careers. :-)

[kineneb]

206. no desks in K-3, either

I went to an "experimental" school with "clusters". There were 2 clusters each of grades 1-3 and 4-6, with kindergarten being a separate building. Our grade 1-3 building had big doors that opened up to make the 3 classrooms into one big open space. When it rained, which was most of the winter, they would open up the space and had recess indoors.

I didn't have a letter-grade report card until 7th grade, either. Tests were rated by score, not letters, either. Twice a year, there were parent-teacher conferences, where your homeroom teacher would go over your "evaluation" with a parent or guardian; in my case it was my grandmother. I got a lot of the "is not working up to potential" scores. Hey, I was bored.

[Lorien]

209. Yeah, we had a similar grading system

maybe our administrators read the same books?

[MissB]

40. The community centers around here have barrels for collection.

I'm dropping some stuff off next week when my kids have swimming lessons. I usually buy the limit on those specials - like when Staples has 10 count pencils for 5 cents. I fill what is on the kids' lists and then donate the rest.

Luckily our district sticks with the basics- things like #2 pencils, glue sticks, markers, 24 count crayons and colored pencils. Nothing fancy. I spent all of $20 total for my two kids (really a bit more, considering I have a bag of things to donate).

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. I am a teacher and this has been a pet peeve of mine for YEARS!!

What drives me the craziest are the lists that tell you exactly what brand and what size, etc. One of my kids had an art teacher in elementary school who asked the kids to bring Prang water colors every year. There was ONE art store in town that carried them. If this had been a high school art class, I wouldn't have complained, but it was elementary school. When I finally asked her why Prang she explained that they fit in her trays better.

Another thing that bugs me are the lists that say 'no trapper keepers'. I am a special ed teacher and trapper keepers are perfect for kids who have organizational problems. When I have asked my co-workers why they don't want trapper keepers, they tell me they won't fit in the desks. Gee, something wrong with the floor under the desk?

I am all about teaching kids to be responsible and asking parents to get involved. But anal retentive people shouldn't be allowed to make up supply lists.

I teach in a very poor community. For years, we always started school the day after Labor Day. Then about 10 or 15 years ago, we changed to the Monday before Labor Day. First year we changed, we noticed a LOT of our kids came to school on the first day with nothing. No supplies, no new clothes, no new shoes. We finally figured out it was the end of the month when our families had no money. Once the first of September rolled around, the kids would get their supplies and new shoes.

Oh those kids who show up with regular crayons - we have a dungeon for them :)

[Beausoir]

43. My 5th grade son has to have the color of his notebook MATCH the color of his folder. Times 5.

Purple notebook goes with purple folder...etc.


Why he can't just write "MATH" on them to keep them together is beyond me.

[proud2BlibKansan]

48. Anal retentive

There are too many anal retentive teachers. They drive me up the wall. No wonder people are homeschooling.

[youthere]

49. same here..

Plus the folders have to be plastic. I went to three different places to find the appropriate colored plastic folders. They also stipulate the brand of pencils, watercolor paints etc. Outrageous.

[Katherine Brengle]

50. That's so sad :(

The idea that anyone can't buy their kid a new outfit and some basic supplies for school in this day and age... it's so frustrating.

It drives me crazy that working folks can't have a decent life.

[OzarkDem]

101. Some teachers obsess over it

I had 2 kids w/ ADD who had problems w/ organization, losing things, etc. Trapper keepers were perfect for them. I recall a couple of years having to take off work to attend a meeting where I would appeal to the teachers to let them use them.

I got so tired of having to jump through hoops for them I finally told them I would send the kids to school with what worked best for them and if they had a problem, I would write the state school board and their local state reps & state senators who vote on school funding (both were pushing vouchers for religious schools). That finally silenced them.

I always wondered the same thing, pity the poor parents who couldn't afford this stuff.

[proud2BlibKansan]

135. If your kids are on IEPs, ask for the trapper keepers to be written into their IEPs

If they are not on IEPs and they do have ADD, they should be on a 504 plan. And yes, you can ask that the 504 plan mandate the use of a trapper keeper for organization. I write this in IEPs every year.

If you have any questions, PM me.

[Emit]

159. It was the request for Ticonderoga pencils last year that drove me mad all year

Not one store carried the brand -- not one, and we tried them all, because to a 2nd grader things like following the request of the teacher is very important, especially at the beginning of school. Why that teacher wanted that brand is beyond me. I finally gave up.

[youthere]

167. We had the same thing...

I FINALLY got an answer...it's because most other brands of pencils combine plastic in with the wood and they "gum up" and break the sharpeners. Now, Ticonderogas are damn nice pencils (all wood) but there are OTHER brands that are wood too. Jeez..that teacher could have written a simple request for wood pencils only.

[qanda]

174. I love those pencils-- great erasers and they sharpen nicely

I find them in bulk at Costco, but there's no way in the world a teacher should demand their students to bring a particular brand of pencils.

[bobbolink]

177. So, a school could buy them in bulk at Costco, and solve their problem.

Oh wait... it's so much better to INSIST that a poor family buy a case of pencils, and forego a few meals, right?

Just as long as all the muddleclass people can get specific brands, that's all that counts.

Whadda country...

:crazy:

[qanda]

179. Exactly

I think I got 8 dozen pencils for $7 and you know the government could get a much better price than I did. It's shameful what they're doing to people.

[Justyce]

47. It is completely ridiculous. Last year,

we had to send a pack of those markers for the overhead projector -- the kids never got to write on it, just the teacher, so apparently the class was providing her supplies too, which I think the school ought to cover... we pay high taxes in this district & they should be more than able to cover things like that. We had to hunt everywhere to find a certain pack of certain size/brand of manilla paper, certain brand erasers, certain brand and length map pencils... it's out of hand. When I was a kid, it was so much more basic, and we got by just as well -- and without so many students feeling alienated because their family couldn't afford everything on the long list. I think this is an area that teachers could help -- at least in our district, they all make their own lists -- it would be great if they'd start minimizing it & keeping it simpler rather than requiring certain brands, etc.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

55. I have 2 in High School ...

I don't have to buy the kleenex or crayons anymore ... but now i need a bank loan to buy the textbooks, binders, $100 calculators, etc ... required for each class. Even the USED textbooks cost a fortune!

[Breeze54]

57. You have to 'buy' textbooks at a public school?

Huh?

Although, my sons elementary school used mimeographs from certain
sections of the textbooks instead of buying new ones for the kids.

That irked me to no end!!

I cheered when he finally got books in 9th grade!!

And this town HAS $$$! They're just 'fruggle' or republicons!!

Not sure.

[China_cat]

56. Even if I didn't have WalMart on my 'not to buy from' list

I would not buy school supplies from them here. They keep a bin for people to donate school supplies. Two years in a row they were caught restocking the donated supplies to their own shelves rather than deliver them to the schools. Who knows how many times they've done it and not gotten caught.

[FooFootheSnoo]

60. My daughter is starting kindergarten

and I spent $50. Thank God I only have one child. What made me mad was most of the supplies are the "community" items. I don't mind sending a box of tissues, but I had to send 3 bottles of hand soap, two bottles of hand sanitizer, dry erase markers ($9!!!!), paper towels, baby wipes, play dough(wtf?), etc. I know budgets are tight, but I think the school districts should be able to find money for hand soap and paper towels. I do feel badly for the low income children. Some items are super cheap (like plain old Elmer's glue) but I noticed most of the teachers are requesting more expensive items, like the Elmer's gel glue stick which is almost $2.

[Katherine Brengle]

66. UGH.

That's just dumb.

You can get Elmer's non-toxic washable liquid glue for less than $1 per bottle - why do they have to make it difficult?

The school district can't afford soap and towels? Why can't the kids use regular reusable towels? The parents could even take turns washing them each weekend for pete's sake.

Hand sanitizer isn't necessary either. How about a couple of mondo-sized cans of Lysol (provided by the school, as a janitorial thing, not by parents).

Why do they need baby wipes???

I swear this thread is making me really angry. There is no reason that school districts shouldn't be able to pay teachers a decent living wage and supply the things kids need to learn. Cutting taxes + increasing expectations (ie, computers everywhere, specialized supplies and all that) = bad for everyone.

Chalkboards, chalk, erasers, pens, pencils, notebook paper.

Books.

That's all kids really need to get a good education.

We need to stop with the bells and whistles.

[Breeze54]

67. "Why can't the kids use regular reusable towels?"

Disease, germs, unsanitary. I suspect it's against health codes.

No way would I have wanted my kid sharing a towel at school.

:puke:

[Katherine Brengle]

80. Um, it's a towel.

I'm not suggesting they blow their noses on them lol.

And you use a towel AFTER you wash your hands, yes? So... I fail to see what's scary about this.

[Breeze54]

83. LMAO! I'm guessing you've never been around little kids then!!

Ewe! Gross!!

They share enough lice and other things.

But sharing a wet towel is just gross, imho.

It's really cheaper, in the long run, to have paper towels.

The cost of DR. visits and medicine is high and if they

get sick enough, you could lose time from work also.

It adds up. Been there, done that. ;)

[Katherine Brengle]

130. I *have* a little kid lol.

When it comes to kids getting sick from other kids and lice and whatnot, I blame the parents. I know it's hard to deal with childcare and stuff when kids get sick, but sending sick kids to school gets other kids sick.

However, I do understand the reality that you pointing out, and perhaps real towels is idealistic. Perhaps in a smaller setting it would work well, but probably not in a public school.

[youthere]

168. LOL! I can't imagine how our parents ever survived!

No disposable towels, antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer (in my dad's case no toilet paper or indoor plumbing!)! Kind of amazing they learned to read and write without the twistable crayons and PRANG watercolors! LOL! My father passed away years and years ago but my mother just shakes her head when I tell her all the crap I have to buy.

[Breeze54]

186. My Mom went insane with 7 kids

puking their guts out, down the walls, next to the bunkbeds!
All of us sick with the flu, then measles, mumps and chicken pox.
I remember her laughing with my Dad right after she had been crying
from exhaustion...We had paper towels in my grade school back then too. ;)
But only in the bathrooms though. I think we brought old rags for art classes.

[proud2BlibKansan]

138. Health regulations prohibit regular towels

[Reciprocity]

68. The reason for some of the items on the list is for......

the cold and flue season, which can bring a school to it's knee's.

[scorpiogirl]

69. My kindergarten list was longer than my first grade list this year.

Included on this year's list among other things: Mr. Sketch markers at $9 for 12 markers. You can't get those at Target either. Also notable, 16 glue sticks, 9 dry erase markers that have to be certain colors. Of course all the packages come with extra colors that I'll never use. I bought one package of four and I think that's all their getting from me. If more are needed as the year progresses, then I'll buy them then. We also have to buy black flair fine-tip markers which are impossible to find unless you need an entire box (we only need 2) at probably $15. Ridiculous! I agree with you. My town is very wealthy and pays it's teachers well. Why isn't there enough money for at least the basics? Why do they insist on name brands especially for things like glue sticks. We had to get the glue sticks and white liquid glue too.

Then the first day of class, they'll ask for a $50 donation. It's crazy. The part that makes me the most nuts is there is no one-stop shopping. Some things are hard to find and then you're driving all over town looking for that one thing you can't find anywhere. I'm still not done after 3 trips. I don't even remember buying supplies until junior high school and then it was only what we knew we needed; there was no list.

[RayOfHope]

75. Some schools don't have bathrooms/sinks in the classroom

so simple things like handwashing or cleaning up from certain activities make the hand sanitizer and wipes a near necessity. It's very, very tough to marshall a class full of kids down the hall for washing hands at lunch or snack time where there are multiple classes needing to wash up in one bathroom.

[Katherine Brengle]

81. Okay, that makes sense. But parents still shouldn't have to buy them.

Soap and towels should be a basic service that the school pays for.

[Breeze54]

84. I bought one roll of paper towels and a box of tissues, once a month.

Total cost? About $2.00 a month. ;) Not so bad.

He kept both in his desk.

And he shared with the kids, whose parents didn't send any.

[RayOfHope]

102. I agree. But if its a choice between 'academic' stuff and Purell

guess which wins? When I taught, I had a great budget. I know some friends who teach that have classroom budgets of $200. That is beyond pitiful.

Many teachers just request basics (pencils, paper, glue, markers) and then have a 'wish list' posted; parents can choose to purchase those items to help out. No pressure.

[BamaGirl]

62. Omg, it's crazy isn't it??

This year cost me $100 more than last year and last time I checked I still have only the three kids lol. ;) The dry erase markers really piss me-had to be an 8 pack of a particular brand? Times 3? Is that really getting used?? The other thing is freaking hand sanitizer. Six bottles ain't cheap. Whatever happened to soap and water? I told the elementary school last week this is the last year I do this crap. Next year I'm sending paper, pencils, crayons, glue and scissors. This year's little school shopping expedition took too big a bite out of my grocery budget. :evilfrown:

[Akoto]

71. I'm 22, so it wasn't that long ago that I was in public school ...

I ended up finishing high school at home, but that's not really the point here. :)

That short time ago, even during the Clinton years (when I was a teenager), there simply wasn't such a lengthy and specific list of required supplies. You brought notebooks, #2 pencils, a black or blue pen, and maybe a calculator -- but those were often provided. That's it.

Unfortunately, a lot has changed since I left school. I guess it's becoming even more of an industry than it was.

[Solly Mack]

72. My husband and I buy school supplies every year for local schools

We get a copy of the various items needed for several grades and then go shopping. We then take the bags of supplies to the different schools on the first day of school. We've been doing this for years.

It's not much but every little bit helps.

[Midlodemocrat]

77. We do that as well. I pick up stuff all year long when it

goes on sale and deliver it to one of the schools here.

I have to do it. Every child deserves a good start to the school year.

[Solly Mack]

79. It pains me to think of a child looking around the room and knowing

they don't have everything they need - they feel left out and ashamed. Like the whole class will laugh at them.

I don't want any child to feel that.

[bobbolink]

85. I think maybe that's intended.

Gotta keep those lower classes in their place.

Starting with feeling inferior sets the stage for later failure, so they will be good janitors.

[Midlodemocrat]

88. I think just the opposite.

Having taught school and/or volunteered for the better of 30 years, I can't imagine an adult wishing to shame a child over circumstances that are not their fault.

I have a whole 'posse' of friends, for lack of a better word, that scours the stores all year long looking for deals on school supplies and for the last 15 or so years, we have provided approximately 100 children a year with a new backpack and brand new school supplies as well as gift cards for new clothes.

I have yet to run into anyone who wants a child to suffer. Even repukes.

[Solly Mack]

108. Actually, I have seen adults attempt to shame a child by attacking their parents

Said adults told themselves they were doing the child a favor by telling the child what "the problem" was....so as to avoid it themselves later on. Or so they explained it to me (After I went off)- they were convinced they were doing the child a favor.

and I've seen teachers treat children differently simply because of who their parents were and what they could and could not afford

I've been around people who never should have been allowed to teach or work around kids.

I used to teach Head Start...years ago.


More often than not the people I worked with cared....but there also existed the truly horrible.

[Midlodemocrat]

76. $308 for fees, for the privilege of going to school.

I actually wrote a check for $458, but I bought my two teens a $75 activity pass each so that they could attend all the games, concerts, etc. :eyes:

Additionally, I bought myself one. So I could have the privilege of watching my own child play field hockey and sing in the choir.

Unreal. $10 for chorus? For what? $15 for marketing? Again, for what?

[ulysses]

78. yeah, but we've learned that you're an elitist.

:D

$15 for marketing? Again, for what?

Marketing?

[Midlodemocrat]

87. Yup. That's me. Sitting here in a ripped tee shirt and pajama bottoms.

:)

I have no idea. I hope it's a spectacular class!

[greenbriar]

82. I provide a lot of things for my students

well I did when I was a teacher

[proud2BlibKansan]

139. Are you not teaching anymore?

What's up??

[greenbriar]

212. PRINCIPAL BABY

just ap but working my way up

[NMMNG]

86. School budgets have been slashed for years,

While the military gets a blank check. :wtf: is wrong with this picture?

[tabasco]

90. My late Mother was a schoolteacher.

She paid her own hard-earned money for school supplies for poor kids.

Sometimes I hate this country.

[Midlodemocrat]

91. I did that as well when I was just starting to teach.

Fortunately, my parents helped me because they were so dedicated to the idea of public education. Otherwise, on my salary, I couldn't have done it.

[Breeze54]

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[proud2BlibKansan]

140. I used to send my name in to that every year

and I never once heard back from those people. Hopefully teachers have better luck today.

[bobbolink]

95. Teachers are underpaid and undervalued.

And the best ones put the children first.

I have a European friend who is still shocked that teachers are of so little value in this country. In most countries, teachers are revered.

"Sometimes I hate this country."

Amen! :applause: :(

[Lisa]

182. my dad too ...

So I just roll my eyes when I hear people ranting about "lazy overpaid teachers".

[barbtries]

92. we go to the 99 cent store

and my son's school last year was extremely supportive; what i couldn't afford they provided. otherwise i buy as we go along and i am able. but you;re so right: 3 or 4 years ago, when i had a sum of money (which is all long gone now), i spent over $200 on his school supplies.

[roody]

100. Call it the bullshit it is. Pencil, eraser, paper,

crayons. That is all you need. I teach first grade.

[pacalo]

106. I don't miss shopping for school supplies!

Full-page lists that added up to $75. Absolutely ridiculous.

After volunteering at the school, I learned that each child's supplies were incorporated into a community chest, providing supplies to those students whose parents couldn't afford to buy them. I thought it was a good idea, but I can tell you that I didn't buy the most expensive sets of crayons, markers, or pastels after learning that.

"Twistable" crayons??! Hanging recipe card holder??! Teachers are getting anal, aren't they?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

107. I've been lucky in that most of my teachers over the years haven't been anal retentive.

I've always had supply lists, but the vast majority have been general, with some wiggle room. Freshman year I had a wacko English teacher who specified a whole load of bullshit, but I was only in her class a month before I was moved up a grade in English. I've never been asked to contribute community items such as kleenex, soap, etc., and frankly, I've never heard of such a practice until I read this thread.

[uppityperson]

110. 1 yr I bought what I thought necessary, not "The List", jr did just fine

I viewed it as a recommended thing, but not necessary. Pencils, pens, colored crayons/pencils/markers (dependent on yr), paper, notebook, binder. Basics. It's ok to not buy it al.

[SmokingJacket]

112. It's wrong.

The schools should not request more than some notebooks and a box of pencils -- and if a kid shows up without them, the teachers should quietly slip them to the kids. Sorry, if the school can afford brand new computers, as most schools can, there's no excuse not to supply kids with basic learning tools.

My kids' school asks for *nothing,* thank God. (Though I sort of enjoy buying office supplies...) The school has such a range of social classes, from professors' kids to just-arrived immigrants, it's the best way to make things work.

When I was a teacher in the rural south, the schools asked parents to pay for the kids' WORKBOOKS, at $15 a pop. It made me sick.

[teach1st]

113. Balancing act

I spend close to one thousand dollars of my money each year for my fifth grade class - counting technology, it's usually in the thousands. I do try to keep my materials list basic, but the truth is the more parents can buy the less I have to spend. With that in mind, it's a balancing act between asking the parents to contribute too much or asking me to contribute too much.

My materials list:
http://www.pb5th.com/mat.shtml

I also make sure this is on my list: I have extras of all of these materials in the classroom. If funds are a problem right now, it's cool.

My classroom budget is $190 dollars..that's what the district gives me...it's a little over $7.50 per student per year. (I do get to purchase items at great prices with that money, but it is not even close to enough.)

On edit: If you do visit my online materials list, PLEASE don't sign up for the mailing list. Thanks.

[tammywammy]

116. Now, that's a normal school supply list

The only thing that I was never asked for was water, but I see you say you're too far from the water fountains and you say it's optional to bring.

[proud2BlibKansan]

141. Each of our teachers are only getting $75 this year

Oh, and SFA really sucks :)

:hi:

[teach1st]

142. SFA

Oh, my, I think we might know each other!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

143. $9 MILLION!!

For a shitty reading program that doesn't even have a writing component. It just makes me crazy.

[youthere]

169. I would KILL to be sent a list like that for my kids!

are you SURE you're a REAL teacher? (just kidding..I don't really need the sarcasm tag, do I?)

[Maestro]

117. I'm an assistant principal in a low income school in the Dallas

area and the principal, the other assistant principal and I loaded a 4X4 Tacoma with school supplies to be handed out free. A local church contacted us and was very generous. I too am frustrated about what schools ask for. To be fair, my school tries to keep it to the basics, paper, pencils, folders, notebooks, scissors, ruler, etc...Our PTA even orders boxed supplies and sells them basically "at cost" and the end of each year in preparation for the next. As a parent of two children in a different district from the one where I work, I have had to spend almost $100 for supplies, a kinder list and a second grade list.

[devilgrrl]

122. Here's an Elementary School Supply list from a school outside of Atlanta...

Kindergarten

2 boxes of 24 Crayola crayons
1 package of Crayola washable markers
20 glue sticks
1 box of Kleenex tissues
12 (#2) yellow pencils, sharpened
1 ream of white copy paper (500 papers)
1 box of Ziplock gallon-sized freezer bags
1 box of Ziplock quart-sized freezer bags
1 tub of Baby Wipes
1 large bottle of hand sanitizer
1 pair of blunt tip scissors
An empty pillowcase with child's name on it. ( king size pillowcase -for resting)


First

1 box of 16 crayons
1 package of 8 washable markers
12 glue sticks
Fiskar sharp point scissors (please check brand)
1 book bag
2 package of yellow #2 pencils (sharpened please)
1 school box for supplies (8x5 apprx.)
I large box of Kleenex
Liquid hand sanitizer
2 wide rules spiral/composition books
1 package of copy paper (500 sheets)
2 folders (3 prong, 2 pocket)
2 large boxes of Kleenex
2 bottles of liquid hand sanitizer
Dry erase markers
1 box of baby wipes
1 pack of sanitizing wipes


Second

24 count pack of crayons
1 package of markers
Fiskar scissors
2 Wide-Ruled notebooks
8 plain pocket colored folders
3 packages of yellow #2 pencils
2 boxes of Kleenex
4 glue sticks
1 glue bottle (white only)
1 bag of candy
1 plain white T-shirt
Dry erase markers
Hand sanitizer
1 package of copy paper (500 sheets)
1 plastic school box


Third

4 packages of WIDE ruled notebook paper (Buy extra to keep at home for homework and practice.)
4 packages of PLAIN yellow pencils
3 Mead Composition Books, (black and white or colored) 100 sheets, wide ruled
3 spiral notebooks WIDE ruled (at least 70 sheets)
6 SOLID COLOR folders with pockets and brads
1 zipper pencil pouch - NO SCHOOL BOXES
1 pair of Scissors (sharp point Fiskar’s)
1 package of Crayons (16 or 24) and/or markers and/or colored pencils
2 big boxes of Kleenex
1 red pencil or pen
1 yellow highlighter
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 box of handi wipes/baby wipes
2 glue sticks (No liquid glue)
1 ruler - metric and standard
Please NO trapper keepers or mechanical pencils.


Fourth Grade

4 th Grade Supply List
10 Folders with pockets and prongs
(your student will need 1 blue, green, yellow, red, orange, and purple folder)
#2 Pencils
Crayons (pack of 24)
White notebook paper (no college rule)
2 black or blue pens
2 red pens
Markers
4 pack of Vis-à-vis markers
4 pack of dry erase markers
1 yellow highlighter
Colored pencils- for maps
1 inch binder
3 x 5 note cards (lined on one side) pack of 100
2 large boxes of unscented tissues
Composition book
Scissors
3 spiral notebooks
*Hand Sanitizer


Fifth Grade

4 - black or blue pens (no wild colors or gels)
2 - red pens (no wild colors or gels)
4 - EXPO Dry Erase markers
1 - Yellow highlighter
1 - Sharpie fine point marker
2 - boxes tissues (Kleenex)
1 - Fiskars scissors, 5" pointed
6 - Composition books (black & white)
1 - pack Notebook paper (wide rule)
1 - dozen # 2 pencils
2 - Glue sticks
1 - Zip pocket pencil case/pencil box
1 - ream White copy paper
6 two pocket folders with brads (Orange, Red, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Green)
2 - bottles hand sanitize
1 - 8 or 10 pack Colored Marker
1 - clean sock (new or used)
1 - book to read during the first week of school
1 - roll of paper towels
2 - 3x5 lined index cards
2 - packs of post-it notes
1 - container of Chlorox or Lysol disinfectant wipes


:crazy:

[LuckyLib]

134. This list makes me both laugh and cry. A former teacher, I now prepare teachers and graduate

students working on advanced degrees. My critiques of public (and private) schooling get saltier every year as I urge students to examine what our schools ask of parents and children in terms of the values expressed by our culture. This list is a classic. It is criminal to now expect teachers to "collect" the bounty that state and the federal government can't provide for classrooms. Can you imagine IBM, Martin-Marietta, or GE giving such a list to its employees? Thanks for posting this.

[FooFootheSnoo]

144. Wow!!

Your school district really, really likes glue sticks!!

[Obamarama]

124. When my partner taught, we would spend $750 to $1,000 each year on supplies for his classroom

He taught in an economically depressed community and he didn't want to put a burden on the families. He had a list of stuff for kids to bring in, but it was basic and inexpensive things: a bottle of Elmer's glue, a couple boxes of Kleenex, basic stuff for crafts. The max parents would have to spend would be $12-$15 on the stuff. Everything else he would provide. We'd go out and get different colored sprial notebooks and folders for each subject for each kid in his class (he usually had 24-26 kids); a set of water-soluble markers; a set of colored pencils; a calculator; a dictionary; and several other basics.

There were familes that could have afforded to get this stuff for their kids, but there were many who could not have. He wanted all the kids to have the same learning tools available to them. We were lucky to be in a place to be able to fund these yearly school supplies (he was able to claim a large amount of it as a tax credit), but I agree...I remember when all this stuff used to be part and parcel of going to school. We had to make sure we had a binder, a notebook and pencils and that was about it.

[Lisa0825]

127. The barely middle class is who really get it (as usual)

(this was meant to be a reply to the OP. Kudos to y'all for doing what you could to help out! :pals: )

There are many programs around here providing free school supplies for low income folks, but those who make just enough money to not be considered low income, even though they have to scrimp and do without to keep the bills paid, have to pay for all this unnecessary crap themselves. Twisty crayons??? Unreal!!!

School supplies should be about the basics... pens pencils, notebooks, loose paper, a ruler, etc. If the school decides to require fancier things, they should plan on supplying it, and they should have the budgets to cover it if the items are deemed necessary.

[Obamarama]

137. What's the deal with the damned "twisty crayons"?

I don't even know what a "twisty" crayon IS. I remember the box of 48 Crayolas that had its own built in sharpener when I was a kid.

My partner had a crayon machine in his classroom - it would melt down old crayons and mold them into new ones. The kids (with supervision, of course!) loved gathering all the odds and ends of used crayons, sorting them out by color and making them into new crayons. Also taught them about recycling at the same time, too!

[LWolf]

147. I got a free sample from Crayola last year.

Teachers can request free samples from them. They sent me a dozen red, and a dozen blue. I think the "draw," pun intended, is that they don't break. It's like a mechanical crayon, and there is only enough on the tip to color with, but not to waste. They seemed to me like a hybrid crayon/colored pencil.

Real crayons are messy; they break; you have to peel the paper, they are a pain to sharpen, etc..

On the other hand, when I was buying community crayons for my classes, I would simply have the kids peel the paper off at the end of the year and dump the leftovers in a big tub. Any color was always available, and we could use shavings, melt them, etc..

After a few years of seeing how many crayon stubs were left over every year, I started buying fewer new crayons, and more crayon sharpeners.

[eppur_se_muova]

187. Like a chalk "pen" ... so, you could actually get by with one "pen" ...

and a bunch of crayons, but no one thought to offer that more economical alternative?

[LWolf]

189. I guess not,

since I'm just guessing, lol.

[qanda]

136. I homeschool my children so I don't have to deal with a list

But I was in Target a couple of weeks ago and ran into the principal of a local, disadvantaged school. She was there buying a ton of stuff for her students that she knew wouldn't be able to afford school supplies. Her passion for that school and those students truly touched my heart. After speaking to her I went to the front of the store and purchased a gift card to help her pay for the supplies. It was a small gesture, but I can only hope that it helped to provide for some child whose parents couldn't afford school supplies.

[w8liftinglady]

151. how do you socialize your kids?I have considered it

[Mind_your_head]

158. That was a very nice thing to do

People will do things in ways that are 'best' for their own circumstances/experience....but "it takes a village" to raise a child, which you obviously know by your gesture. Home-schooling/public schooling/private schooling....it's ALL LEARNING, and learning is good, no matter which path one chooses for their own kid(s).....one wants EVERY kid to be learning well, no matter where they're learning it. Thanks for helping to achieve that 'end'.

:hug: to a fellow 'villager' :-)

[youthere]

170. I homeschooled for several years too..

my job changed so I sent them back to public school. I miss it..especially now. My kids had more opportunities and resources available to them through the homeschooling assistance program than they do now. The last year I homeschooled my three children I bought supplies and curriculum for less than the cost of supplies I purchased for just one child this year.

[LWolf]

146. I agree.

I much preferred the years, long ago, when I supplied everybody out of my classroom budget.

I also liked the fact that everybody used the same stuff; no group of kids with "special" "designer" supplies next to kids with the regular, basic stuff.

My school has a state-funded program that helps some of our school population with supplies all year, as well as with medical appointments, rides to parent conferences, coats, shoes, etc.. They can't take care of everyone, but it does help.

I don't know what the crayon thing is; I'm guessing that the mechanical pencils are to do away with noisy pencil sharpeners and excessive visits to it. I found a pencil sharpener last year that is virtually silent; the kids love it.

White boards/markers are, of course, for getting responses from everyone during classroom discussions. I've heard that teachers really like them, but when I used actual chalk boards and chalk, back in pre-historic school days, I didn't find them worth the space they took up.

We also have a long list of supplies, since the classroom supply budget is tiny. Some of them are personal supplies, some community supplies. Bringing in community supplies is optional; if you bring them, you have access to them. If you don't, you provide your own. I add to the community supplies with my classroom supply budget, and out of my pocket by a few hundred $$ a year, so that students don't have to bring EVERYTHING on the list, but just a few things to add to the community.

[w8liftinglady]

149. a cause to get behind

http://www.projectbackpack.org/

[Colorado Progressive]

152. thats why my kids are spaced 9 years apart LOL

Can actually afford them somewhat

[eridani]

155. My employer is doing a backpack with school supplies for kids

Hit up some of the larger employers in your town for this--most will be more than willing because it's good publicity.

[Emit]

157. My kids will have to get just the bare essentials at the beginning of school this year, sadly

We are strapped so badly right now with the recent, unexpected loss of one income. I, too, feel for the low-income parents, and would help out if I could. We're not considered low-income, even with our recent job loss, but with two in elementary and one in high school who is taking labs at the university level at extra costs, I am pinching pennies big time. Back to school stuff this year will only be what is truly necessary for the beginning of the year until we can afford the rest -- I'll have to let the teachers know ahead of time and try not to worry my kids when we don't get to buy everything on their lists. Kids can be deeply affected by this kind of thing, especially my two younger ones. My older one is working, and will buy some of her own stuff this year.

[Debbi801]

161. I thought ours were bad with the mandatory....

FISCAR scissors--not any other brand
Crayola crayons--not roseart

Then there are the 1 gallon size and 1 quart size ziplock bags, antibacterial liquid soap, 3 boxes of kleenex brand tissue, and the please pick one of the following off of the list items which include shaving cream (No lie), bingo dabbers, sidewalk chalk, playdoh (playdoh brand only), etc.

My high schooler must have a TI83 or TI84 calculator, no other type will work apparently, etc.

I feel for the teachers, and I buy everything on the list without complaint, but it makes me crazy. And like you, I wonder what lower income parents do. It makes me sad.

[LibDemAlways]

172. Like a 1st grader is going to care whether he's using

Crayola or Roseart crayons.

Sucks that the school is teaching kids to be label-conscious from a very early age.

[LibDemAlways]

171. My daughter is going into high school this year and for the

first time there is no official list. I suppose each teacher will provide a separate list on the first day of class and then there will be the mandatory run to Staples to pick through what's left over by then.

It's all a racket. Two years ago a scientific calculator turned up on the list, and a specific brand and model number were mentioned. That alone set me back $60.00. Typically, I spend about $150.00 and grumble all the way home about how my school supplies were a 3-ring binder, some paper, a pen and a pencil. And we covered our textbooks with paper bags or free book covers provided by the grocery store. Now the kids are required to use stretchy fabric "Book Sox" at $3.00 a pop. We also have to provide two reams of copy paper for the school office. Last spring my daughter brought home the required reading list for 9th grade. While not mandatory, it was strongly suggested that I send a check in the amount of $38.00 so my daughter would have the same editions of the books the teacher would be using. It never stops!!

[Sparkly]

173. I remember being jealous of the kids who got fancy pencil boxes.

I know I'm being an old person doing a "Back in MY day," but I don't recall my sisters and me ever getting anything new except looseleaf paper. My daughter, however, had to get a specific type of calculator for cryin' out loud, and it would have been difficult to get through without a computer at home.

Of ALL the things tax dollars should be paying for!!

(I don't understand why you have to have clickables and twistables, though.)

[Lisa]

193. that "everybody else has new stuff" thing can be truly insidious ...

The local group I'm working with that's collecting school supplies for low-income families has run into this. There is so much secondhand stuff out there that could be passed down, but they specified NEW backpacks, pencilcases, etc., because a lot of the children found it humiliating to get used equipment, even nice things that were barely used and only a few years old. Me, I tend to buy most of my stuff used (like the very nice nylon briefcase I take to work, and also the laptop inside it ... both of which I had to repair slightly but otherwise work just fine). But I have a choice about whether or not to buy used stuff ... and since they often don't, I can understand why this can become a source of conflict.

It took quite a bit of convincing, to persuade the group that secondhand calculators would work just as well as brand-new ones, providing we kept a "library" of manuals to photocopy and distribute along with the machines. What swayed them in the end was not my influence, but the realization that we had to find 43 advanced scientific calculators, and repeated canvassing of local businesses had only brought in a dozen donations. I was able to get bulk lots on eBay and clean them up so they looked okay. I actually had to show the group my paycheck, and the receipts from the machines I'd already bought, before they believed that I wouldn't be able to afford to buy all the stuff they needed brand-new. (I was pretty depressed, and cried after that particular meeting.)

I have been trying to talk the group into running the calculator part of the supply program on a "revolving" basis (people return the machines once they don't need them any more for a particular class, or once they are able to purchase their own) -- so that it would reduce the "charity handout" stigma, plus making equipment available to more students. But people don't seem interested.

[bobbolink]

178. Obviously, what's coming is that poor kids won't be going to school anymore.

They're being squeezed out.

Does it matter?

[kineneb]

207. yes, it matters

They might be the one who could have found a cure for a fatal disease, or designed a new ____ (fill in blank) that made life easier for the physically disabled. They might have been a great pianist or violinist. We would never know.

Genius knows no class, but it cannot develop without assistance. All children deserve a good education, regardless of family resources.

Where there are great inequalities, there will be unrest (thinking of revolutionary France).

[bobbolink]

208. The "unrest" isn't coming fast enough.

Look around and see the lack of concern in the muddleclass... the lack of concern and caring with "liberals".

We Poor folk have been to reticent to speak up. We've made it easy to be ignored.

Yet, until we stomp and screaming, nothing will happen.

Unfortunately, at that point, the revolutions usually are waaaay more violent than necessary, and usually don't solve the problems.

Just more death.

:cry:

[Lisa]

181. I hear you -- I donated dozens of scientific calculators

... to a local single parents' group. There are kids who are dropping out of advanced math and science courses because their families cannot afford to buy high-end calculators (especially the graphing type). With advance notice of the numbers and models they needed, I was able to do bulk purchases on eBay. I'm not exactly rolling in dough (they don't pay untenured college lecturers much) -- and it's been frustrating, with the organizers calling me up to request more and more equipment, because nobody else is pitching in. They are so understaffed that nobody was around to do things like get in touch with office supply companies, months ago, to try to make special deals. I've had to cut back on groceries in order to buy stuff for them. The end of summer is approaching and I keep getting these desperate pleas because parents are now looking at the school board's "required" list, and freaking out.


So thanks to everyone who is helping out with these kinds of efforts. I know that you aren't getting a fraction of the praise you deserve, so I will give some to you now!

[MissB]

183. Major kudos to you!

What an excellent idea.

[mbee]

185. A suggestion I thought of is that maybe at the end of the

school year students could just turn in their notebooks with pages still left in them. I still have many of these in my household that were half used even thought my son is now 25 years old and out of school. We use them for scratch pads. I am sure there are many households like mine out there that still have these laying around un-used. If the school made use of the leftovers at the end of the year then students who want to contribute new ones along with other school supplies could do that and everyone would have what they need.

[eppur_se_muova]

188. Wow, this whole thread is an eye-opener ... I had no idea.

I can't imagine what's wrong with teachers that they can imagine these kinds of lists are necessary. I don't remember having to go through any of this -- we used to buy our own textbooks, but fortunately they changed that. So the only thing we really had to provide was pencil/pen and paper, and the individual teachers would tell their students if they allowed pen or not.

And anyone who says you HAVE to have a graphing calculator to learn math is teaching something besides math.

[Lisa]

190. graphing calculators are usually for the upper-level courses

Advanced grade 11, and sometimes grade 12. At least, that's how it is in the Province of B.C. (Canada). We didn't have to worry about getting that kind of equipment when I was in high school, but that was more than 2 decades ago -- times have changed, and unfortunately learning how to operate one of those machines is on the course curriculum and standardized tests now, if you are trying to get into college to specialize in math, engineering, and the ultra-hard side of science. I agree that you don't NEED a graphing calculator to learn math (and the basic concepts behind it), but one always has to do a balancing act between teaching courses the way one wants to, and addressing the demands of administrators, school boards, and parents. (My undergraduate students give me a hard time about not using PowerPoint in class -- I'm "old school" and use the overhead projector, blackboard, and class discussions, so I find the newfangled technology cramps my style.)

And I suppose I'd rather shell out for graphing calculators for desperate students, than have to buy them laptops with the appropriate software (the money does go further this way).

[eppur_se_muova]

191. Principles won't be outdated anytime soon, but the hardware will ...

any computerized equipment I learned to operate in college is hopelessly antiquated now. Teaching to a specific piece of hardware is futile.

That's why things like chalk, pencil and paper are so powerful ... you don't need to LEARN how to use them, really, and they will never be outmoded.

Oh, and sand tables are underappreciated.:D

[Lisa]

192. I totally agree ...

The computer I learned on was a PDP-11 with a card-reader, running Fortran! Try finding any of that stuff around now. The best teachers I ever had used little more than chalk and astute questioning to get their ideas across.

In my department, people are so focused on learning a specific type of software that if a new offering appears on the market, or even if the version changes, it can render their previous courses pretty well redundant. Luckily we have a new instructor who is bound and determined to change that (he won't even let them go on the computers until he gives them several lectures on the basic background ideas, including when NOT to use particular statistics). But that attitude is still out there.

Sand tables, soil pits, and just taking the kids outside ... there are so many other ways of teaching. I got into a bit of an argument with one of the people from the Learning Technology group on campus, who was trying to push me into doing everything his way. Those Powerpoint presentations have a way of chaining us to the classroom! (With the added "advantage" of being transferrable to the Web, so that they could still claim to be teaching my class but without having to pay me.)


However -- if I get a panicked call from that anti-poverty group I'm helping with school supplies, they don't want to hear my spiel on the perils of technology. The best I can do is bring in samples of different kinds of calculators, and a list of which specific functions are needed for which courses (courtesy of several active math teachers and a trustworthy tech support guy at a local electronics place). And once we figure out how many kids they need stuff for, and in which grades, to suggest why it would NOT be a good idea to give one of the Sharp 9900c's to someone in Grade 9 just because a parent is demanding it -- even if the child does appear to be the next generation's Stephen Hawking. (I've been working with them long enough that they now figure that I'm not a skinflint who is trying to hold out on them -- or worse, doesn't think the kids are capable or deserving.)

[eppur_se_muova]

194. Well, PowerPoint does have one major advantage ...

it gives the audience a chance to catch up on sleep.:)

(Seriously, I'd hate to take a class taught that way. I see lots of college instructors doing exactly that, though.)

You might appreciate these:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/12/30/byrne.powerpoint.ap/
http://www.sociablemedia.com/PDF/press_presentations_magazine_03_01_04.pdf

One of the Internet's inventors, Vint Cerf, gets laughs from audiences by quipping, "Power corrupts and PowerPoint corrupts absolutely."

Glad to see I am not the only one who has worried about canned or videotaped presentations serving as the means of outsourcing their authors' jobs. Probably has happened a few times already.

[Lisa]

197. cool article on Powerpoint's role in the rush to war in Iraq ...

The Atlantic Monthly, Dec 2004
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200412/fallows
***this reports on an experiment in perception and decision-making

"Then there was option No. 3. Gardiner called this plan "moderate risk," but said the best judgment of the military was that it would succeed. To explain it he spent thirty minutes presenting the very sorts of slides most likely to impress civilians: those with sweeping arrows indicating the rapid movement of men across terrain. (When the exercise was over, I told David Kay that an observer who had not often seen such charts remarked on how "cool" they looked. "Yes, and the longer you've been around, the more you learn to be skeptical of the 'cool' factor in PowerPoint," Kay said. "I don't think the President had seen many charts like that before," he added, referring to President Bush as he reviewed war plans for Iraq.)"


Thanks for the links! I love the quote ...

[eppur_se_muova]

198. and thanks for that link! I can just see Chimpy basing his "plans" ...

on which side has the coolest PowerPoint show.

[Lisa]

199. maybe this is why he refuses to see Al Gore's movie!

Before leaving, Karl reminded him that he would fold like an AAA roadmap if he so much as looked those animated Keynote graphics -- so avoid at all costs.

[AngryOldDem]

195. School "participation" fees.

That is my pet peeve, and no, I am not talking about the "pay to play" bullshit for sports. We pay close to $100 for various and sundry fees to cover things that, IMO, a) the school should budget for out of general operating funds; or b) do without. The costs are like income tax: The higher the grade, the higher the fee.

I wonder how lower economic-class families can afford this.

Not everyone has a spare $100 to drop at any given moment.

[Breeze54]

205. I paid $200.00 in school fee's, so my son could graduate. Not to mention

the cost of his school supplies during the year but also he needed tools.
Good tools and the only place that supposedly had everything was Home Depot.
The list was quite long and expensive. $175.00, as I recall.
He didn't get everything on the list.

But the school did throw the seniors a huge party/BBQ at a ranch! And they
also went on a cruise with a catered lunch and all the transportation was
included on chartered busses and they also had a small BBQ at the school
during the last week and treats after the graduation.
That fee/due's also included the yearbook and his cap & gown.

So, I guess my money was well spent and nobody got killed on prom night either. ;)

[bobbolink]

204. A Salute to teachers, as you begin a new school year!

:patriot:

You're doing the most important work there is, and you deserve better.

(where's that danged flower emoticon when you need it....)

:loveya:

[RB TexLa]

211. Another for my list of things I never have to worry about

Back to school shopping total: $0.00

:)