You know what kills me. People complain about school funding in my area and seem to think the $8500/pp we spend is too much and they don't want to raise their taxes for anything... but yet don't seem to realize how much parents are raising out of pocket. Our PTOs/Boosters raised over $7M last year, the school fees are out of control. The $100 calculator they need for math that isn't supplied by the schools, etc. The high school fees are so bad that my friends say they spend $2-3k/yr on class fees for things like mandatory math classes, AP tests, and sports teams. It is the fees for classes that are mandatory to graduate that kill me the most.
$8500?!?!? We get about $3500.
Our district spends roughly $8500 per kid per year educating them.
We pay our teachers crap. They start out at around $35k and cap at around 60k. We pay our aides even worse... walmart clerks make more. It is appalling.
Not alone - I've been looking forward to it for years. Of course, all she needs for pre-school is a backpack, lunchbox, towel for nap, tissues, hand sanitizer, and clorox wipes.
Can I assume there will be an outbreak of MRSA at some point?
This is actually the worst part of school starting, after the schedule adjustment. Every kid gets sick within weeks, although generally it's not MRSA, LOL.
Also, lice.
I'm hopeful that going right from a daycare filed with germy kids to a preschool/elementary school with germy kids will keep that to a minimum.
C's kindergarten list requests an 8 pack of crayons. Never mind that the 24 pack is everywhere and on sale for about .50. Had to get a 8 pack set for $3. I don't understand.
Buy the $0.50 pack and send in the 8 basic colors in a snack sized ziplock bag. Problem solved and extra crayons for coloring at home.
Teachers - I have a lot of friends who are also teachers. I am seeing a new trend of them creating an Amazon wish list of their supplies and sharing on FB. People have responded pretty well and helping them out.
I wish my teacher friends did this. I would happily throw $20/$30 towards their classrooms. No kid should go without school supplies because of financial hardship. We were not wealthy growing up, but my dad made sure I always had anything I needed for school and that I had the "name brand". Nobody wants to be the kid with the Roseart crayons that color weird.
You know what kills me. People complain about school funding in my area and seem to think the $8500/pp we spend is too much and they don't want to raise their taxes for anything... but yet don't seem to realize how much parents are raising out of pocket. Our PTOs/Boosters raised over $7M last year, the school fees are out of control. The $100 calculator they need for math that isn't supplied by the schools, etc. The high school fees are so bad that my friends say they spend $2-3k/yr on class fees for things like mandatory math classes, AP tests, and sports teams. It is the fees for classes that are mandatory to graduate that kill me the most.
$8500?!?!? We get about $3500.
Our district spends over $7K on instructional expenditures, but over $14K total. And it's still not enough.
You know what kills me. People complain about school funding in my area and seem to think the $8500/pp we spend is too much and they don't want to raise their taxes for anything... but yet don't seem to realize how much parents are raising out of pocket. Our PTOs/Boosters raised over $7M last year, the school fees are out of control. The $100 calculator they need for math that isn't supplied by the schools, etc. The high school fees are so bad that my friends say they spend $2-3k/yr on class fees for things like mandatory math classes, AP tests, and sports teams. It is the fees for classes that are mandatory to graduate that kill me the most.
$8500?!?!? We get about $3500.
our pp operating cost for 2012-13 was $7,834.24, PK-8. I have no idea about the local/state/federal breakdown of that cost.
but this is the total budget (minus certain things (SPED, transportation, major capital outlay, regional vocational center costs, debt services)) divided by the # FY subsidizable students (whatever that means). There was one district on that list that was credited with 0.5 students, so had a pp cost of $105,000 with a total operating cost of the same. (island school)
Our PTO could never raise 7 million. The area just doesn't have it to give. I was impressed the 1 PTO meeting I went to that they had $20,000 in the bank! Not bad for 3-4 active members. I think each grade level (pk-4) is allowed to request $1,000/yr?
Might be a dumb question, but who are your immigrants / where are they from?
In my current district Mexico. At my old school, we had students from all over the world, but many of them came from wealthy families who provided english tutors so we had much better test scores.
Are you in CLT by chance? Or mryrcn, is your daughter in CLT? DS and I are going to Target and buying a bunch of school supplies to donate sometime this week. We did it last year and he had a ton of fun, even at 2.5 (then). I'd love to be able to help if possible instead of just dropping it off to a random school and hoping they can use the stuff we got.
I was crazy enough to marry one, and have no decided to have a baby with him. But it's neat we have so much in common. Teaching really is a great profession. We are struggling with a lot but it is all worth it in the end.
In my current district Mexico. At my old school, we had students from all over the world, but many of them came from wealthy families who provided english tutors so we had much better test scores.
Are you in CLT by chance? Or mryrcn, is your daughter in CLT? DS and I are going to Target and buying a bunch of school supplies to donate sometime this week. We did it last year and he had a ton of fun, even at 2.5 (then). I'd love to be able to help if possible instead of just dropping it off to a random school and hoping they can use the stuff we got.
I am in the Charlotte area. I would be happy to share some schools that I know could really use supplies. PM if you would like the info, I can try to give you info on school close to you.
Are you in CLT by chance? Or mryrcn, is your daughter in CLT? DS and I are going to Target and buying a bunch of school supplies to donate sometime this week. We did it last year and he had a ton of fun, even at 2.5 (then). I'd love to be able to help if possible instead of just dropping it off to a random school and hoping they can use the stuff we got.
No she's in the eastern part of the state. That is really nice of you to offer though.
So she is dealing with all the craziness of our state government. I hope they figure what our state budget will be soon.
I've been shopping for the supplies since Target started stocking them July 5th. Our teachers were really specific on what they wanted and if you wait, the items are gone. The up side is I've managed to get great deals and pick up extras for the teacher. They did tell us not to label anything. I'm guessing that means communal supplies. I wonder if that is Kindy specific?
So she is dealing with all the craziness of our state government. I hope they figure what our state budget will be soon.
yes. She text me today that her work hours have been extended this year. She tutors as well to earn extra money. Those folks on Jones Street like to play around with the budget every single time.
It's rough. I know a lot of really good teachers that are just done with the state and leaving. It's hard, I am hoping that they can get it together before all of our good teachers are gone.
Post by downtoearth on Aug 3, 2015 14:08:44 GMT -5
I like school supply shopping. It takes about $35 to get everything for an elementary kid in our district. So yes, with 3 kids you'd be around $100. I always buy school supplies on sale and so often get some items for less than a dollar, so I usually donate those to our local fund that stuffs the bus for kids and teachers or directly to the teachers.
I wonder if our school district is better funded b/c we don't have to buy much until middle/high school and there are no fees to be part of the PTO or anything really.
If you want to get the best deals, you have to be looking all around and possibly be willing to go to a few places per week. But FYI Staples price matches!!!
I was panicky b/c we had quite a few items on both lists that were more $$...50 sheet protectors at the office supply stores were like $10. But I noticed the Wexford brand on sale last weekend at Walgreens for 99 cents with a coupon. I definitely try to buy the preferred brands like Crayola, Elmers, etc. but I can tell you I will probably be buying generic post-its b/c the amount requested I haven't found cheaper than $10 anywhere.
Also, Ticonderoga pencils were on sale at Office Depot last week for $1 for a 24-pack so keep your eyes open
would buying less expensive backpacks be like buying roseart crayons? We are donating two filled backpacks via a local charity and I am having some sticker shock. I spent $80 buying all of the good supplies. I should probably suck it up and get them jansport or equivalent backpacks, yes? Or are random brand target bags ok? These are for grade 2-5.
would buying less expensive backpacks be like buying roseart crayons? We are donating two filled backpacks via a local charity and I am having some sticker shock. I spent $80 buying all of the good supplies. I should probably suck it up and get them jansport or equivalent backpacks, yes? Or are random brand target bags ok? These are for grade 2-5.
of course, I'm a teacher from ME, so my preferred "one and done 'til grad school, unless I want a new look" is an LLB backpack.
Practically, I haven't noticed any super crappy bags that won't last a year+ with good care. I would say though, that 2-5 kids will notice who has a cool backpack and who doesn't, more than K-1 will.
I also don't know what's in for 2-5, what a 2-5 kid would die for.
would buying less expensive backpacks be like buying roseart crayons? We are donating two filled backpacks via a local charity and I am having some sticker shock. I spent $80 buying all of the good supplies. I should probably suck it up and get them jansport or equivalent backpacks, yes? Or are random brand target bags ok? These are for grade 2-5.
My kids have Dakine backpacks that were about $20 onsale online that have lasted like 5 years in elementary/preschool. I'm a fan of those if you have time to shop online (DaKine Grom backpacks).
But otherwise, nope, don't worry about spending $15 on a backpack - kids get new ones every year and there are some seriously cute ones that will last the year and be great around that price.
Can I whine for a sec? I just finished labeling 48 crayola colored pencils only to find the gray has no "lead". I wonder if they will switch me out the gray so on I don't have to re-label?
Post by CallingAllAngels on Aug 3, 2015 15:39:26 GMT -5
I got DS a Land's End backpack at the beginning of K with the expectation that it would last several years. I spent a lot on it (~$50, I think). The zipper broke midway through 1st grade. I sent it back to Land's End and they refunded me in full, including original shipping and embroidery costs. I found a backpack at the REI outlet for $18. I'm hoping that this one lasts him at least through 2nd grade.
DD is starting K later this month, and I bought her a Land's End backpack earlier this summer when they were having a big sale. I think it was less than $30. I expect for it to last for several years, and if it doesn't, I don't have any qualms about sending it back.
Can I whine for a sec? I just finished labeling 48 crayola colored pencils only to find the gray has no "lead". I wonder if they will switch me out the gray so on I don't have to re-label?
You label every pencil?! I am dying at the idea that this is expected. I'd be the parent that said, nope to that.
Can I whine for a sec? I just finished labeling 48 crayola colored pencils only to find the gray has no "lead". I wonder if they will switch me out the gray so on I don't have to re-label?
You label every pencil?! I am dying at the idea that this is expected. I'd be the parent that said, nope to that.
would buying less expensive backpacks be like buying roseart crayons? We are donating two filled backpacks via a local charity and I am having some sticker shock. I spent $80 buying all of the good supplies. I should probably suck it up and get them jansport or equivalent backpacks, yes? Or are random brand target bags ok? These are for grade 2-5.
We donate also and I happened to catch an LL Bean sale that makes them just a bit more expensive than the Target ones ($25-30), so you might want to try there.
I also only bought Crayola and Ticonderoga crayons and pencils for our sponsored kid because of these posts. We don't have kids, so I had no idea about these things.