A commenter left a post in my story today about Rock Island schools that caught my attention. In his comment, WayneDaBrain said, “In the list of school supplies I have to send with my child, I have to include a ream of copy paper because the school system can’t afford to buy paper. Doesn’t this upset anyone?”
I wasn’t aware that districts were asking parents to purchase supplies for their child’s school? I would love to know which schools and/0r districts in the area are requesting parents buy their supplies. Either leave a post or e-mail me at sdooley@qctimes.com.
#1 by Brock Aunan at July 30th, 2009
I have provided entire boxes of paper to my kids classes at RI elementary schools because the teachers had “run out”. Nice.
#2 by Tici Pena at July 30th, 2009
I was just thinking about that. On my child’s list there’s dry erase markers and construction paper. I noticed this last year too. I was told that the supplies listed were supposed to last for the year. We have this unpack your book bag night probably because the amount of supplies that used to fit into your child’s book bag needs a night where we can unload it all. I was told by a teacher last year that basically the supplies are shared and that the students use the supplies as needed during the year because they’re kept there. Not all of them but some.
#3 by Jennifer Chronister at July 30th, 2009
For Davenport Schools every student has to bring paper towels, Kleenex and/or Ziplock bags. I feel that the school district or the teachers should be responsible for these.
#4 by awarren at July 30th, 2009
This has been going on for a long time, since before my 3rd grader even started school. Most kids have items on their lists such as dry erase markers and erasers, highlighters and reams of copy paper, just to name a few. Does it upset me? Yes but what do you do?
#5 by CHERYL CURRY at July 31st, 2009
For heavens sake you want the teachers to provide kleenex…….how much do you think they make? and how much do you think they put up with from our ill behaved children?????
#6 by Sarah at July 31st, 2009
Kids in our district have always had to bring Kleenex and/or paper towels. Sometimes Ziplock bags too. Our school is also one that your kids puts one of everything they have into their individual supplies and then the rest goes into a big pot. Is it fair that I pay for other kids school supplies or for supplies for the teacher? No. But many kids show up to school without supplies and many teachers pay out of pocket for their classroom materials. If I pay an extra $5 for additional supplies – I consider it well worth the money.
#7 by Laura at July 31st, 2009
Look, the kids need this stuff. School budgets are being cut all over the place. Either you pay for it with higher taxes, or you pay for it out of pocket. The teachers already pay for an awful lot of stuff themselves and don’t get reimbursed. If everyone coughs up a couple of boxes of tissues or a ream of paper, maybe we won’t have to let another teacher go or cut another program.
#8 by Jenny at July 31st, 2009
I understand the kids need this stuff, but some of it is excessive. Every year my kids come home with things that were barely used. Do the math say 20 kids in a class x 4pk of dry erase markers per kid. Come on do they really need or use 80 dry erase markers in a year? This year my third grader needs diaper wipes. Is this really a necessity? I can’t afford to buy much for my kids let alone the teacher and class also.
#9 by Nicole (SAHM Ramblings) at July 31st, 2009
Yup, we’re having to buy a ton of stuff for the teachers. I personally grimace over stuff like dry erase markers and ziploc bags. Crayons, glue, even Kleenex, I understand, but the added things that are for the teacher to use are the things that surprise me. But as long as I’m given a list and able to purchase it when the sales happen in the summer, it isn’t as financially difficult.
If you’re curious what we’re being asked to bring, stop by WalMart. There’s a rack next to the school supplies that lists the ‘requirements’ for several local schools.
#10 by Jo at July 31st, 2009
Yes teachers ask for these things to help out in the classroom. School supplies are cheap at the beginning of the year so parents should stock up. I am a teacher with high school kids, yet I still stock up each year. It is a lot easier to buy paper for $.25 in August than over a $1 in January or February. Also some of the supplies like dry erase markers are used by the kids in the classroom as well as the teachers. I have helped find supplies for parents through the years at walmart and am surprised at some of the things that schools ask for. Yet I know as a parent and teacher, the schools need all the help they can get until we come up with a better way to educate the future of America.
#11 by Beth at August 1st, 2009
Many parents are struggling with job losses or pay cuts. In Rock Island at Edison Jr. High. Teachers asked for copy paper, pens, and white-board markers. Mid year they ran out of copy paper.
#12 by Sheri at August 1st, 2009
Not all these teachers are that great. The last one my son had yelled & screamed at the kids just about everyday. Then he would make a different kid go down to the office every morning to fetch him his coffee. These teachers aren’t exactly poor and they keep getting raises all the time. Their health insurance is better than mine, plus don’t forget all the holidays they get off and summer vacation as well. I’d like to have a job like that, but some people actually have to work! I’m sick & tired of hearing these teachers complain about everything. They can always go get another job if they hate teaching so much, besides they shouldn’t take their problems on the kids. The school supplies keep getting longer & longer every year. We’re using half the supplies from last year because my son never had to use them, so I guess that saved me some money. But to be honest, I can really see why there are more and more parents now wanting to homeschool their kids, because of all the crap that goes on at school.
#13 by gayle at August 2nd, 2009
My parents had to supply this stuff back when I was in grade school long ago in the 70s and 80s. It’s not new. Why should taxpayers have to pay for EVERYTHING for the schools?
#14 by Shelly at August 3rd, 2009
We provide Kleenex (my kids will use their fair share throughout the year!!), paper towels, disinfecting wipes. I don’t mind those things because it is used as a class for the direct benefit of the class.
#15 by Sharon at August 3rd, 2009
I have always provided these items when my child was attending school and am doing it again now for my Grandchildren. I have always included extras of everything on the list and they are always returned at the end of the school year if not used. Where I did draw the line was when they asked for air freshners for the classroom. That I feel the teacher should provide if the room does not smell fresh enough for her
#16 by Mike at August 4th, 2009
My wife and I were discussing this today as we packed our kids’ bags for school this fall. We get the concept of “pooling” some supplies that are used by all the kids throughout the year. What hacks us off is that teachers in our district refuse “lightly used” supplies to keep on hand for kids who can’t afford their own. Is a watercolor paint set that has only been used once then completely unusable the next year? And don’t even get me started on how many sets of colored pencils we have … yikes. Plus, my wife buys a lot of our school supplies at garage sales during the summer – almost all of the stuff is still in its wrappers/unopened and she’s able to get it for pennies on the dollar.
It just seems to us that if teachers and parents used their heads there could be a lot more supplies available for a lot less money.
#17 by Kelly at August 5th, 2009
The 5th grade list for Davenport Schools has 3 pads of yellow post it notes. Granted it’s not a lot of money, but as we’re packing our daughter bag this year, we asked our daughter (who was in 5th grade last year) what they used them for. She said that she didn’t even use them. The teacher did. I don’t mind helping out with the cost of the teachers supplies, but 3 pads from each student all for the teacher? A little beyond ridiculous. Also, why can’t it be here’s what your student needs. We are always looking for extra of the below supplies, so if you’d like to send extra it would be appreciated. Is it my fault that some parents don’t send it? So you ask the parents that do send it to send even more? The lists have gotten increasingly ridiculous. My other daughter needs 3 boxes on colored pencils for 6th grade. Along with 2 boxes of markers and many other multiples. Why can’t I send 1 box of markers and if she needs more later, she can ask for more or the teacher can send a note? Why don’t we just stop buying supplies all together and they can charge everybody the same for registration? That way the person that doesn’t send supplies still has to pay for them. I don’t think this should be something that is waived/reduced like the school fees are. It would make it equal for everybody.
#18 by Tera at August 6th, 2009
I have four children in school and the supplies are getting ridiculous. I do not sent 2 boxes of 24 pencils or 4 glue bottles to school I send 1 glue bottle and 6 pencils, when the kids run out they can get more from my stock for school I am not going to supply for everyone. My husband is unemployed and I am working full time. Also, if all the kids have bags for their pencils why do they need all the zip lock bags. I also have to pay school fee’s $600 this past year, why do I have to buy the teachers supplies as well.
#19 by Teacher at August 6th, 2009
Not sure why everyone is complaining. One box of kleenex for an entire year of school is still not enough. When one child alone has a cold, we all know that they can easily go through a box of tissues in a week. Dry erase markers are used daily today in schools. Try making a set of Crayola markers last a year in your house….without drying out….and without little kids pressing too hard and smashing them. It is not a lot to ask to do ONCE a year parents. Geez
#20 by Teacher at August 6th, 2009
Do you know that the district gives teachers roughly $25 at the beginning of the year to get supplies that they need. Hmmm….about $1 per child. Now do you see why. Also, schools do unpack your backpack night because it is nice to come into your new classroom the night before and meet your teacher and put the supplies away then rather than with 20 + kids bringing in backpacks full and trying to sort it all at once. Common sense says Unpack Your Backpack is a good idea…not because they have too much to carry.
#21 by Jenny at August 7th, 2009
I agree with unpack your backpack, we wnt yesterday. But I ended up lugging my third graders backpack because it was heavy. I have found that this is the one chance that I get to meet my children’s teachers prior to starting school. I could have swore that I got a letter stating who my teacher was before I went to school. Anymore it is a matter of wandering down the hall to find the appropriate class. To bad that not all the schools send out notices or at least post it on the boards outside telling parents the time and date of unpack your backpack.
#22 by Shay at August 14th, 2009
I live in Texas and the school that my son attends charges each student $40 for school supplies. They say it is so all of the children will have the same items and no on will feel left out. I just wonder extravegant store they shop at for supplies. In addition to the $40 we also have to buy clorox wipes and tissues.
#23 by jen at August 18th, 2009
the list for my kindergarten says that if you do not supply the name brands they want your supplys will be returned. Most of it was for the class. the list called for 2 box of KLEENEX, 2 rolls of BOUNTY paper towel,ZIPLOCK bags(gallen& quart),baby wipes,2 dry erase marker, 125 count color copy paper,and GERM-X. we spent over $100 for school supplys. When we got to school we were told that they were not going to use the rest mats,crib blanket and travel size pillow.
#24 by sara at August 26th, 2009
the school supply list we have is pretty reasonable I think – supplying kleenex – my parents had done that for years, too
The dry erase markers are used by my kids not the teacher – each kid has a dry erase board that they use in class. I certainly don’t like the has to be Elmers, Crayola, whatever – and I usually don’t follow the rules. I have 2 kids and I spent $30 on all their supplies this year. Teachers already are spending more than their allotted so I don’t mind helping them out.
Our school did post unpack your backpack night – excellent idea, excellent use of time, I like that they have started doing this – last year it was the only time I got to see my child’s classroom – even conferences weren’t held in her room….