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

[berlinsmommy]

I don't mean to fan the flames - but I have to tell you what happened to me last month.

Well, as many of you know, all to well, most of the newspaper recycling bins are located at schools. There is one particular elementary school near me that I like to go "coupon hunting" at.

It is a public school. I look in the dumpster and there were STACKS of brand new construction paper. DH and I started pulling it out and I'd guess there are about four-five THOUSAND pieces. I had two backpacks and a box full. Then, under that were boxes of brand new folders - probably about 100 of those. Part of it irks me, even though my kid doesn't go to a public school, that is my tax money!! Then part of me is happy, I got a "rebate" on some of what I pay in taxes for public schools, and I'm going to pass it right on to DD's private school who can use it up and divert what they would have spent on construction paper to something else.

Also, I was a little upset over HCM's post that the school gets over $8k per kid, the administrations there are sooooooo top heavy! DD's school costs $4,400 per kid for tuition, and some get reduced/free tuition. The school also gets donations and stuff but it still costs between $5k and $6k per kid for them to provide an education, but there are no high level administrators that I'm aware of and from what I know of the principal, she's making nowhere near what you quoted.

[brandee]

Originally Posted by nate&natsmommy Uh duh I work, so can't homeschool. Gotta make money to pay the taxes that are SUPPOSED to be paying for the school needs. How does $500 spent by each household for each student sound better than one teacher spending $250 for a classroom of 30 kids? And do people that homeschool get the percentage of their property taxes back that should have gone to public school?

If one student costs you $500...how do you expect a teacher to supply 30 kids for $250????

[brandee]

Originally Posted by brandee Let me start by saying that I believe there are items that are rediculus (sp). However, those items are to educate YOUR children. It is not the teacher's, other parent's, or the community's responsability to supply the items YOUR child needs to recieve the best education their teachers can provide them. I know alot of you think that the school should supply more...and I agree. But that is not the case. Schools are pinched in their wallets just like we are in ours. We brag on this forum about how much money we save. Lets use some of that money to make sure our children bring what the schools may be lacking. We should turn this issue around....start threads braging about how cheap you got all of your supplys for. We can complain about it...or we can suck it up and try to make the best of it.....look at the positive. Our children are no longer sitting in desks doing "busy work". They are using technology, learning through hands on lessons, and some even get the oppurtunity to go on field trips (this does not happen in my school very often) And in regards to the $250 tax credit. It in no way off sets the costs teachers spend to help educate children. However, you too can get a tax credit.......HOMESCHOOL.....I found this searching "homeschool tax credit" Education tax credits reduce the amount of tax a taxpayer owes, based on school-related expenses. For example: if $4,000 is owed in taxes, and a homeschool parent has spent $500 on educational expenses, that parent can use their educational expenses to reduce the amount owed in taxes to $3,500. Tax credits are not vouchers........sounds alot better to me than a $250 credit!!!!!!

I guess noone wants to think positive:frown:

[derketchup]

Originally Posted by inthelooneybin In that case, can you PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send me all of your lysol wipes coupons!? I'd really appreciate it! THANKS!

I don't have any. Seriously.

[darkwing932]

Originally Posted by DebbieNIU I too am a teacher and I have to say. Yes, I think there's an issue when requesting brand specific supplies. But, I have spent TONS of my own money purchasing supplies, books, games, snacks, stickers, winter coats, Christmas Presents, Thanksgiving dinners, etc for students. No, this is not my "job" but when you have a little one that you care about coming to school in 10 degree weather with no coat, what are you to do? Or, a little one that you know won't have any gifts under their Christmas tree without your help, wouldn't you want to help? I definitely don't make all that much money as a teacher and I end up putting so much of my paycheck back into the school. So, when people complain about sending in a roll of paper towels, ziplock bags, dry erase markers, it makes me so mad. The school budget only goes so far when paying salaries, keeping the schools updated, providing appropriate technology for students (which is always changing and needs updating every 3 years or so). So, ladies next time you complain about spending an extra $20 for some supplies to help out the classroom, think about how much money the teachers are spending out of their own pockets each year on the class. I'm sure none of you realized that teachers sometime purchase things like Christmas presents for entire families or Thanksgiving feasts for families that are in need. Think about what your small donation does to help out the classroom.

Originally Posted by DebbieNIU I'm not saying that this is "an art" exclusive to teachers. Nor am I saying that this is the only way I donate time/money/clothes/food/etc. I'm just saying if the stuff is going towards your kids why wouldn't you, as a parent be willing to pay for school supplies. If you need the details of how items will be used, just ask the teacher if you're so stinking upset about paying for a 50 cent roll of paper towels or a 99 cent pack of markers.

I am upset about paying for a roll of paper towels and things of the such. Doesn't the school have a janitorial budget that includes paper towels? I have always seen them anytime I have ever been in the school. Why can't those be used? Are they not good enough?

You said that the next time I complain about spending an extra $20 for the class I should think of all the money that comes out of your pocket. I said that just because you donate to your classroom and the families of the students in your classroom that does not justify you asking me (the parent) to bring in extra supplies. If you choose to donate meals and christmas presents why do I have to pay for your charity through classroom donations?

[inthelooneybin]

Originally Posted by qtkleee151 wow. this thread has got so heated! Seriously, everyone has different opinions. I really hope I am not offending ANYONE, but here is my opinion: I think that school districts/teachers need to supply any extras they have on the list. I have realized that about 70-80% of the money needed for school is not for buying supplies at the beginning of the year, but it is for the stuff they ask for DURING the year. Coffee filters, lysol wipes, tons of Germx/Purell, dry erase markers, etc. are nice to have, but not a lot of parents can afford to send these extras in when they also have to shell out $10-$60 a few times a year for field trips, most of which are required or your child has to do an "alternative" assignment, which is usually a torturously long essay about something irrelevant anyways. I also will not buy or allow my mom to buy coffee filters so my teachers can get there dose of caffeine in the morning. HECK NO, drink coffee at home at your expense. I also know that at the end of the year, I keep less than 1% of the stuff I did at school. In other words, that fancy posterboard, colored paper, beautiful decorations for projects, yeah those are going into a landfill. Teachers need to seriously ask themselves: 1) Do I really need 1000 gluesticks for 140 children (middle school/high school) for a few projects, 2) If I was a parent, would I send these expensive extras in? 3) Is the brand of pencils/pens and school supplies going to make my students little einsteins? Here is how much I typically (before couponing) spend on school supplies: Backpack $10, falls apart quickly lol Lunchbox $0, reused from 20 years ago lol School supplies $5 Books $15 Field trips $100/yr Random needed stuff (ie. report covers, posterboard,etc) $20 Printer ink $50+/yr at least (luckily this is free from my mom's work) Back to school clothing (no Hollister and American Eagle, either!) $50+ Total: $250+/yr Granted, this is just an estimate so it could be more/less and the printer ink is free because I print off my mom's computer, but it still costs money. And teachers say that parents should be able to afford dry erase markers that little susie and christopher will end up drying out??? This is a problem, when school supplies cost this much.

Nope, no mention of uniforms or clothes here.
BTW, read #48 about the coffee filters. Ya might get a kick out of it.

[DebbieNIU]

Because your child is using the paper towels to clean up things in his/her classroom or to eat snacks off of. Your child is also using the markers, pencils, erasers, scissors, etc. If your child is using it, yes, you should supply the materials. Yes, schools have paper towels, and I could care less if they're "good" paper towels but, they are out of a budget for a different purpose. I'm not asking for charity, just to send in the things that your child will use.

In fact, teachers have a fund that we put money into that pays for paper towels, napkins, coffee, cups, etc that are used in the teachers lounge. I don't expect parents to pay for those things for me.

Originally Posted by darkwing932 I am upset about paying for a roll of paper towels and things of the such. Doesn't the school have a janitorial budget that includes paper towels? I have always seen them anytime I have ever been in the school. Why can't those be used? Are they not good enough? You said that the next time I complain about spending an extra $20 for the class I should think of all the money that comes out of your pocket. I said that just because you donate to your classroom and the families of the students in your classroom that does not justify you asking me (the parent) to bring in extra supplies. If you choose to donate meals and christmas presents why do I have to pay for your charity through classroom donations?

[cheynesnana]

I understand that our children are using these items.. and have no problem sending some in..but when I was growing up everything was provided by the school until we got to high school ! My question is.. where is all the tax money going if the teachers and parents have to supply everything children need for an education now?

Originally Posted by DebbieNIU Because your child is using the paper towels to clean up things in his/her classroom or to eat snacks off of. Your child is also using the markers, pencils, erasers, scissors, etc. If your child is using it, yes, you should supply the materials. Yes, schools have paper towels, and I could care less if they're "good" paper towels but, they are out of a budget for a different purpose. I'm not asking for charity, just to send in the things that your child will use. In fact, teachers have a fund that we put money into that pays for paper towels, napkins, coffee, cups, etc that are used in the teachers lounge. I don't expect parents to pay for those things for me.

[JessicaCoen]

Originally Posted by hotcouponmama I mean, it's bad enough that all the supplies get pooled, but really, are 20 kids going to go through 400 gluesticks in one year? And don't get me started on things like providing dry erase markers, reams of copy paper, and sharpies, not to mention coffee pot filters, kleenex, and clorox wipes. I live in the wealthiest school district in the state. The budget is something like 70 MILLION for 8000 students!!! And it's the most wasteful district in the state, yet they ask for more money, and then they want dry erase pens. They don't use chalk boards anymore, but when I was a kid, cleaning supplies and chalk were not on the school supply list. This was the same district I used to work in, and I watched one of my drivers who worked for me PT who also drove for the maintenance dept. and she would throw out PALLETS of supplies that were the "wrong" kind of paper, or leftovers from the year prior. I refuse to send some of the things on the list. Anything that the district should be supplying - paper, board markers, and coffee pot filters, I refuse to send. The whole thing is a scam if you ask me!

I totally agree! also on my kids list is Hand Soap! what schools don't supply soap anymore or what??????

[darkwing932]

I do not recall ever saying that I do not send my child with things they need to complete their assignments like crayons, markers, etc. I, however, am not responsible to supply them for the rest of the class any more than you are. As for snacks, I don't want the teachers to give my kids snacks. I send them with healthy snacks like fruit and yogurt if they are given snack time. But I still hold to the fact that the school has janitors and paper towels. What if my kid never spills anything all year, do you send the paper towels home? I mean, she didn't use them right? I guess I should also supply the desks and chairs too, my kid is using them. How about the textbooks, library books, a few lightbulbs, gas for the buses, gym supplies, sporks, and anything else she might need to use? Oh wait... I do pay for all that... along with a teacher salaries starting at 45,000+ a year, (more than my DH makes), and their pensions and lifetime medical benefits... THROUGH MY TAXDOLLARS of over $3000 a year for a house and a 1/4 acre of property assessed at only 75,000! Those taxes, by the way, go up every single year.

Originally Posted by DebbieNIU Because your child is using the paper towels to clean up things in his/her classroom or to eat snacks off of. Your child is also using the markers, pencils, erasers, scissors, etc. If your child is using it, yes, you should supply the materials. Yes, schools have paper towels, and I could care less if they're "good" paper towels but, they are out of a budget for a different purpose. I'm not asking for charity, just to send in the things that your child will use. In fact, teachers have a fund that we put money into that pays for paper towels, napkins, coffee, cups, etc that are used in the teachers lounge. I don't expect parents to pay for those things for me.