Am I the only one who is ticked about the "school supply" lists?

[latte]

lol thanks for the beavis an butthead link! i so needed to laugh this morning as its been about 10 years since ive watched any beavis episodes thanks for the giggles:)


darketchup~~~~ i remember in my biology class in high school we had an experiment of quick handwashing(like a little kid would do) ,vs a full minute dr scrub, vs non handwashing, vs hand "sanitizer".....you know what we found out------the dr scrub was useless if you didnt turn the water off with a paper towl, the hand sanitzer was useless after we touched our desks or door knobs or lights, and the "kid" wash was the same as a dr scrub

[Sthrnmissgal]

IMO, if you can get an alternative cheaper then by all means do so. If sending in a spray bottle of cleaner and roll of paper towels is cheaper than OR IYO (in your opinion - not sure if I have ever seen it or not, anyways...) better than sanitizing wipes, then by all means send it in, whatever you can do to help out. Just try and remember that school now is much different than when many of us went to school. There is not as much free time and everything is strictly timed out (my children do not get recess at their school) and somethimes time is hard to come by for cleaning up and teachers need the express route . Also, possibly by requesting a brand name, then it is not so much that the specific brand is needed, but it is used as a way for parents to recognize exactly what the teacher is asking for. For example, if a generic list just says sanitizing wipes, some people may wonder is that Purell or Clorox (Hands or cleaning wipes). Maybe the reason for the brand sometimes is so that parents understand exactly what is being asked for. Also lets please try and remember that not everyone is as savvy around a store as many of us here on HCW!

[brandee]

This thread has been very detremental(sp???) to my deal seeking. I have not been checking the other threads!!!! Shame on me!

[extechy]

This thread has been very detremental(sp???) to my deal seeking. I have not been checking the other threads!!!! Shame on me!

LOL, I was wondering how many of you have actually bought what school supplies you aren't refusing to purchase..

[barclay13]

I loved that kids received extra credit for bringing in supplies. My kids would never even bring me a list until a teacher said the two golden words - extra credit! My kids did chores for two days so that I would buy them some Clorox wipes and send in box tops. Of course, the teacher also gave extra credit for reports and for reading books so it evened out. And you could only get so much extra credit, so if your parents wouldn't buy you wipes, then you could read a book.

I think that's the key. Equal opportunity extra credit. And if you think they didn't learn anything by just "buying" their extra credit, I would disagree. They learned to be resourceful. They had to come up with their own chores, earn their own money, look for coupons...it was definitely a learning opportunity and probably more real-life than Nancy Drew who whatever these kids are reading nowadays. hee hee

[brandee]

I loved that kids received extra credit for bringing in supplies. My kids would never even bring me a list until a teacher said the two golden words - extra credit! My kids did chores for two days so that I would buy them some Clorox wipes and send in box tops. Of course, the teacher also gave extra credit for reports and for reading books so it evened out. And you could only get so much extra credit, so if your parents wouldn't buy you wipes, then you could read a book.

I think that's the key. Equal opportunity extra credit. And if you think they didn't learn anything by just "buying" their extra credit, I would disagree. They learned to be resourceful. They had to come up with their own chores, earn their own money, look for coupons...it was definitely a learning opportunity and probably more real-life than Nancy Drew who whatever these kids are reading nowadays. hee hee

Every Wednesday the students have the opportuntity to earn 10 points on their DMR quiz (that would take a while to explain). If their parent signs their weekly DMR sheet as a witness to them studying they receive 10 extra points on their quiz. I had only one student (out of 60) who would do this often. If they turn in the paper without a signature it is worth 5 points. About obe third of the students take abvantage of this.

[kittensqueak]

I used to work in a medical lab when I was in the Army. Among the many things my job entailed, one of them was working in microbiology where we grew bacteria for analysis and antibiotic resistance.

We would NEVER be allowed to use purell and lysol wipes! They do not kill enough bacteria strains, and they aren't very effective. We used soap and water on our hands, and a commercial strength cleaner on the counters called "Bac Down". In order for antibacterial cleaners to work, you must apply the solution, wait at least thirty seconds, wipe down with a paper towel, and then throw the towel away. You are supposed to leave the counter damp.

Soaps containing triclosan (antibacterial agent) have not been shown to be more effective against germs than traditional soap. Also, we were constantly told that we could use hand sanitizer (not purell but a hospital strength one) ONLY if washing our hands was impossible, and even then we were to wash our hands as soon as we were able!

But, apparently I am nuts. Nevermind that I know the difference between Psuedomonas sp., Eschereschia coli, Salmonella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis. :shrug7:

I guess we are both nuts then. I can't stand that people over use antibiotics. Or when people think that using purell is going to keep them germ free - especially when their hygiene practices are lacking. I have told all my family that they are not to purchase or use antibacterial hand soap. They just look at me like...I'M CRAZY! But if schools are requesting these items that is also frustrating. Theses items (antibacterial cleaners, soaps, ect.) are just psychological Band-Aids in a convenience driven society where good hand washing practices are simply a nuisance. Schools should be teaching/encouraging/promoting (you choose a verb) good hand washing practices. Period.

[beth119]

I guess we are both nuts then. I can't stand that people over use antibiotics. Or when people think that using purell is going to keep them germ free - especially when their hygiene practices are lacking. I have told all my family that they are not to purchase or use antibacterial hand soap. They just look at me like...I'M CRAZY! But if schools are requesting these items that is also frustrating. Theses items (antibacterial cleaners, soaps, ect.) are just psychological Band-Aids in a convenience driven society where good hand washing practices are simply a nuisance. Schools should be teaching/encouraging/promoting (you choose a verb) good hand washing practices. Period.

I agree with the antibiotics. My DD was getting ear infections left and right her entire first 14 months. Her pediatrician was always throwing her on antibiotics, and they just never went away.
Finally, her chiropractor told me to stop using them, and see what happens.
She stopped getting ear infections :) Her pedatrician and I went round and round about it, but in the end, I won. The "watch and wait" method has been used in Europe for years, and has had EXCELLENT results.

Anyways, back to school supplies. Please everyone keep in mind that the clorox wipes can be used for more than just germ spreading. :)

[Luckymama]

Please, if you are upset about excesses in school supply lists/excesses in school spending/etc, PLEASE attend your local school board meetings! Make a stink! Organize other school parents who are concerned with the same issues. You'll give that usually bored newspaper reporter something interesting to write about that night :)

[pigs-in-a-blanket]

I don't have a problem with how much they ask for, it's just that they want Crayola, Fiskars, Elmers, etc. If it's Roseart it's half the price and that's just sad! Usually I will buy the name brand but I make sure I find the cheapest price in town before doing so. We had to buy for 3 this year, only a few things though since I cleaned house at Target when they did 75 and 90% last year.