illgetthere Seriously. I was texting with my sister yesterday whil trying to find all of this stuff. She teaches 1st grade in NYC. I couldn't find Wet Ones in a BOX (they only come in canisters) like the teacher specified, so I gave up and got a box of baby wipes. My sister was like, "I ask for tissues and they bring me 1-ply toilet paper. Pampers wipes are fine."
But the teacher went out of her way to bold and underline "Wet Ones BOX" in all caps, so I feel like she's serious about this specific stuff.
Does your PTA offer the supply kit? If so I would just get that next year
Yes, but $105 sounded pretty darn steep for the 1/2 of the supply list it covers. The box only includes the crayons, markers, paint, glue sticks, and dry-erase markers. I'd still have to find and shell out for cotton balls, hand sanitizer, wet ones, straws, 20 gender-neutral toys, and a bag of individually-wrapped fun-size candy.
i think I underestimated school in its entirety. Or perhaps just private school. This is my first experience with private school. Is this normal? LOL
meltoine. In our experience, private school lists were way longer than the public school list.
I'm sure that's true. We chose this school because it's the best in the area and there is no public PreK apart from head start, which we don't qualify for. There's about a 1% chance that we will still be living here come kindergarten, so at least there's the possibility of decent public schools in our next location.
Meanwhile, socialist me is upset that people have to fund their public education themselves. If this stuff is necessary for them to learn, it should be included. If it's not, then it shouldn't be requested.
Who wants to live with me in my socialist paradise?
I wish! Unfortunately, it falls to the teachers to buy basic supplies if the kids don't bring them, which seems even more unfair.
My kids are going to public school in a low-to-middle-class neighbourhood. If I send them with anything resembling the list, I win.
That's what my sister was saying too. She teaches in the south Bronx. She's extraordinarily lucky if her students are fed and clothed 75% of the time, let alone have supplies.
Meanwhile, socialist me is upset that people have to fund their public education themselves. If this stuff is necessary for them to learn, it should be included. If it's not, then it shouldn't be requested.
Who wants to live with me in my socialist paradise?
This is essentially how it works here. We can suggest things (no specific brands) but if a kid doesn't bring them, we make sure they have what they need. Essentially I only ever expected my kids to bring a binder with dividers, some lined paper and a pencil or pen. I ordered the rest (glue sticks, scissors, markers, pencil crayons, construction paper, etc..) with school funds. I provided lined paper and pens/pencils as the year went on and kids ran out/lost theirs.
There is a big kick here around public education being 'free', as in if you have paid taxes for it, should be done paying. We still have to charge for field trips but we have to ensure that the field trip or activity provides an experience that we, as educators, can't otherwise provide.
I try not to let my teachers pay out of pocket for anything, especially art and science activities. As long as it is reasonable and connected to the curriculum I will find money in the budget to cover the costs.
Meanwhile, socialist me is upset that people have to fund their public education themselves. If this stuff is necessary for them to learn, it should be included. If it's not, then it shouldn't be requested.
Who wants to live with me in my socialist paradise?
I wish! Unfortunately, it falls to the teachers to buy basic supplies if the kids don't bring them, which seems even more unfair.
Pretty sure she's suggesting something more akin to inverting the amount we spend on national defense and education so that there would be enough institutional funding to provide all the supplies. And maybe even better pay for the teachers.
Eta: I am sure a lot of my teachers but books for their classrooms - I know they do. But I don't want them buying 'consumables' - the things kids use, that's not fair IMO. I wish I could but them more classroom books but they are so expensive. I did spend 4k on math manipulatives this year though.
Meanwhile, socialist me is upset that people have to fund their public education themselves. If this stuff is necessary for them to learn, it should be included. If it's not, then it shouldn't be requested.
Who wants to live with me in my socialist paradise?
Schools just don't have the money for these supplies so there isn't really any other option. When I was doing research in elementary schools each teacher was given 1 ream of paper for the year. They had to purchase all other paper and supplies. If my local public school which is reasonably well funded with an active PTA has a LONG list of school supplies per kid for kindergarten. I did the PTA purchase program and the box was over $100. I still have to get a back pack and maybe $10 in additional supplies.
I wish! Unfortunately, it falls to the teachers to buy basic supplies if the kids don't bring them, which seems even more unfair.
Pretty sure she's suggesting something more akin to inverting the amount we spend on national defense and education so that there would be enough institutional funding to provide all the supplies. And maybe even better pay for the teachers.
I understood what she meant and was referring to our current reality
Meanwhile, socialist me is upset that people have to fund their public education themselves. If this stuff is necessary for them to learn, it should be included. If it's not, then it shouldn't be requested.
Who wants to live with me in my socialist paradise?
Schools just don't have the money for these supplies so there isn't really any other option. When I was doing research in elementary schools each teacher was given 1 ream of paper for the year. They had to purchase all other paper and supplies. If my local public school which is reasonably well funded with an active PTA has a LONG list of school supplies per kid for kindergarten. I did the PTA purchase program and the box was over $100. I still have to get a back pack and maybe $10 in additional supplies.
Again, her point is that schools should be funded in such a way that allows for these things to be covered. Our printing/copying budget is 10k a year I think. I would never allow teachers to buy paper. We have codes on our printers but that is just to help remind teachers how many copies they are making.
In addition to our regular budget, we are also given $5 per student that HAS to go toward things they use, we can't divert the money into other budget lines.
But the teacher went out of her way to bold and underline "Wet Ones BOX" in all caps, so I feel like she's serious about this specific stuff.
Have you met the teacher to find out if she's breezy or not about this? Or if this is a shared list and she just copied it to send for her classroom? That may explain some of the specifics
But the teacher went out of her way to bold and underline "Wet Ones BOX" in all caps, so I feel like she's serious about this specific stuff.
Have you met the teacher to find out if she's breezy or not about this? Or if this is a shared list and she just copied it to send for her classroom? That may explain some of the specifics
This is a good point.
I would just buy what is easiest/you can find. If she makes a big deal of it, deal with it then.
Again, her point is that schools should be funded in such a way that allows for these things to be covered. Our printing/copying budget is 10k a year I think. I would never allow teachers to buy paper. We have codes on our printers but that is just to help remind teachers how many copies they are making.
In addition to our regular budget, we are also given $5 per student that HAS to go toward things they use, we can't divert the money into other budget lines.
You get me.
Well, I am Canadian. We are so socialist here (in comparison to the US) that I am surprised you guys let us exist. We are like two steps right of Cuba, lol
illgetthere Seriously. I was texting with my sister yesterday whil trying to find all of this stuff. She teaches 1st grade in NYC. I couldn't find Wet Ones in a BOX (they only come in canisters) like the teacher specified, so I gave up and got a box of baby wipes. My sister was like, "I ask for tissues and they bring me 1-ply toilet paper. Pampers wipes are fine."
But the teacher went out of her way to bold and underline "Wet Ones BOX" in all caps, so I feel like she's serious about this specific stuff.
Ok, she may be a little tightly wound! But, I will say it's probably easier to store 20 boxes of Wet Ones than 20 canisters.
Most teachers who are that specific do so for a reason. Years of wipes canisters rolling around the floor may have taught her that boxes are the way to go. I know I've seen the boxes at Target. They sell them near paper plates & napkins.
I, personally, hate the Elmer's purple glue sticks. They make a huge mess. The kids think it's a toy because it's purple. Glue sticks are hard enough because the kids twist them all the way up and break off an inch of glue. Then the caps roll away. I also am not a fan of the accordion style Post it's. They become a management issue with kids stretching out 2 feet of post it notes when they should be working.
I haven't had a school supply list since 2006, but if you had been a parent in my class I would have pointed out not to buy those two items. Did people still buy them? Of course, but at least a few read the list and did not buy them.
I'm amazed you got a list already. We go back in late August, and don't get anything from the teachers until the week before classes start.
DD1 got sent home her list for First Grade on the last day of Kindergarten. It's hanging on my fridge, to remind me at some point we need to get the supplies, but it's also on the school's website too, which I like.
But the teacher went out of her way to bold and underline "Wet Ones BOX" in all caps, so I feel like she's serious about this specific stuff.
Have you met the teacher to find out if she's breezy or not about this? Or if this is a shared list and she just copied it to send for her classroom? That may explain some of the specifics
I met her at orientation. I was a little put off by how inflexible she seemed about things, though with good reason I suppose. For example, someone asked if they could sew their own nap mat instead of buying the ones offered by the PTO. Teacher said no, they all have to be identical so they fit in the cubbies. Ok, I get that. Makes sense. Then said parent asked if she could measure the ones for sale so hers would be the same size. Teacher said no. That seemed a little harsh.
I doubt she copied the list. She's the only Pre-K3 teacher in the school (there is only one class) and she's been there for 10+ years. I'm fairly certain it's her list. It's likely she made it a while ago and some products that were available are now packaged differently, but I really don't think it's out of line for me to expect that she take 30 minutes to check that what she's asking for is still available from the manufacturers.
I'm amazed you got a list already. We go back in late August, and don't get anything from the teachers until the week before classes start.
School starts in 3 weeks here. Catholic schools go back a week earlier than public schools because we get an extra week of vacation in the spring (Holy Week + Easter Week).
illgetthere Seriously. I was texting with my sister yesterday whil trying to find all of this stuff. She teaches 1st grade in NYC. I couldn't find Wet Ones in a BOX (they only come in canisters) like the teacher specified, so I gave up and got a box of baby wipes. My sister was like, "I ask for tissues and they bring me 1-ply toilet paper. Pampers wipes are fine."
But the teacher went out of her way to bold and underline "Wet Ones BOX" in all caps, so I feel like she's serious about this specific stuff.
Most teachers who are that specific do so for a reason. Years of wipes canisters rolling around the floor may have taught her that boxes are the way to go. I know I've seen the boxes at Target. They sell them near paper plates & napkins.
I was at our Target yesterday, in that aisle. Only canisters and the little travel soft-packs.
Does your PTA offer the supply kit? If so I would just get that next year
Yes, but $105 sounded pretty darn steep for the 1/2 of the supply list it covers. The box only includes the crayons, markers, paint, glue sticks, and dry-erase markers. I'd still have to find and shell out for cotton balls, hand sanitizer, wet ones, straws, 20 gender-neutral toys, and a bag of individually-wrapped fun-size candy.
i think I underestimated school in its entirety. Or perhaps just private school. This is my first experience with private school. Is this normal? LOL
Yes, but $105 sounded pretty darn steep for the 1/2 of the supply list it covers. The box only includes the crayons, markers, paint, glue sticks, and dry-erase markers. I'd still have to find and shell out for cotton balls, hand sanitizer, wet ones, straws, 20 gender-neutral toys, and a bag of individually-wrapped fun-size candy.
i think I underestimated school in its entirety. Or perhaps just private school. This is my first experience with private school. Is this normal? LOL
Yep, normal - and another reason I buy the pack! It might be a little more expensive but I'll be damned if I'm going to be running from store to store looking for different stuff for everyone. Saves my sanity
Yes, but $105 sounded pretty darn steep for the 1/2 of the supply list it covers. The box only includes the crayons, markers, paint, glue sticks, and dry-erase markers. I'd still have to find and shell out for cotton balls, hand sanitizer, wet ones, straws, 20 gender-neutral toys, and a bag of individually-wrapped fun-size candy.
i think I underestimated school in its entirety. Or perhaps just private school. This is my first experience with private school. Is this normal? LOL
What in the world is this all about??
As PPs said, treasure box. I got a few packs of goody bag toys from the dollar store.
I'm amazed you got a list already. We go back in late August, and don't get anything from the teachers until the week before classes start.
This is how it works at our school, too. I hate scrambling for supplies that last week when stores (especially the back-to-school aisles) are insanely crowded.
Post by amaristella on Jul 18, 2014 14:57:36 GMT -5
I can understand a list like that IF they told you WHERE to buy the farking stuff from.
Otherwise (and I am a lover of school supplies. When I was a kid that was like my favorite part of the school year) I would be in the NEX school supply tent with the list going:
crayons - check markers - check paint - check glue sticks - check dry-erase markers - check cotton balls - wtf? hand sanitizer -seriously? soap and water? wet ones - do they come in cute little mini packs? straws - here's a hundred of them 20 gender-neutral toys - a bag of marbles? bag of individually-wrapped fun-size candy - do I have anything left over from Halloween?