I KNOW WE TOUCHED ON THIS A FEW WEEKS AGO, BUT I HAVE TO REVISIT IT.
Buckingham Elementary School
Grade 2 Supplies List:
4 wire-bound notebooks
1 yellow highlighter
6 pocket folders-no images! (red,yellow,blue,green,orange,purple only)
Boys-1 box quart ziplock bags, Girls-1 box gallon ziplock bags
2 boxes of pencils - Ticonderoga
1 zippered canvas pencil bag
2 boxes of 24-count crayons
1 binder 1" wide with at least 5 dividers
1 box of colored pencils
2 boxes of tissues
1 ruler
10 glue sticks
1 bottle of liquid glue
1 pair of scissors
6 large erasers
1 container of Clorox wipes
1 Bottle of Germ-X
1 Bookbag
AND money for the homework agenda (which is usually around $6)
Grade 4 Supplies List:
2 black & white composition books
2 yellow highlighters
White loose-leaf paper (no college ruled)
Six pocket folders-no images, yellow, purple, blue, green, red, orange only
2 family size boxes of tissues
1 pair of scissors
1 box of 15 ct crayons
1 box of colored pencils
1 box of 8 markers
4 glue sticks
1 ruler 12"
1 green 3-ring binder 1" wide
1 bookbag
AND money for homework agenda (usually $6)
Evidently our tax dollars are not being put to good use. The schools are not getting enough money to get the supplies they need. The teachers are not making enough! Parents hardly make enough to make ends meet . . . then they have to go out and buy all this stuff, then new clothes, new shoes, etc. Then, when some parents do NOT get the things their child needs, the teacher will just GIVE the student the supplies that came from another family! It's complete BS!!!! And, unfortunately, there is no practical way to avoid this from happening.
UPDATE:
I went to Staples, since it's only a block from my shop. My bill was $69.97. Luckily, I had $18.30 worth of Staples rewards, so my total bill was $51.67. Also, Staples was giving away free 12" rulers (2 per customer) and free packages of pencils (2 per customer) . . . so I did not have to buy the rulers, however, I still had to buy pencils, since they were not the same brand. I will use my free pencils for homework, etc.
I did NOT buy the 4 boxes of tissues, 1 germ-X, 1 Clorox cleanups or 1 box of qt sz bags. I will be going to Wal-Mart for these items.
After reading all the comments, I think I have decided to take some of the advice. I will explain to the teacher on open-house day that all extra supplies are home . . . and will be brought to school as needed. Thanks for all the comments.
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37 comments:
Wicomico County doesn't charge for the homework agendas. That being said, the supply list for elementary school is outrageous. It DOES get more reasonable in middle school, though!
I read yesterday that some districts are only having classes tuesday through friday and not having school on mondays. This is to save on money they need to spend on gas. To compensate they are adding 10 minutes to the other days. One of the problems with this is parents need to find daycare for children on mondays.
Testing....I have an account now! Lookout people!!
Two Cents
First day of school? Nice pencils. Now, fork them over . . .
Sand Box John
2 words for ya......
SLOT MACHINES, here are 2 more
LEGALIZED GAMBLING and 2 more
GAMBLING REVENUE
My two main problems with all of this is, the request for specific brands and the quantity. Why does it have to be Ticonderoga pencils? And where do you find a box of 15 crayons?
Worcester County BOE has cut over $1.2 million from the FY '09 budget. Maybe they need to look at generics and see how much that'll save.
Just wait until high school. I've heard they're including laptops on the list. Perhaps not locally yet, but I'm sure by the time my toddlers are in high school they will. WTF!
I was amazed at the amount of money that I spent on supplies. My kids are attending Sussex Tech and Seaford Middle School this year. Yesterday after visiting three different stores, the bill totaled $147. This did not include book bags, lunch boxes or clothing.But keeping things in perspective, I have home schooled for the last 5 years and after spending about $1200 each year on curriculum materials this was a bargain. If you are blessed enough to be able to do this there are a few churches in the area that are conducting school supply drives. Please donate. Even though it is aggravating that there doesn't seem to be enough money for schools, the kids will, as always, be the ones to suffer when they show up empty handed on the first day of school.
My daughter just started this year as a 2nd grade teacher in Fayetteville, NC. She has asked nothing of the students. She went to Staples and Walmart and purchased pencils, crayons, glue sticks, paper, spiral notebooks, hand sanitizer and tissues. At the tune of about $40 for all of her students. Staples has a .01 cent sale each year and walmart sells crayons, glue sticks and spiral notebooks for .22 cents. She is providing these things to the kids free of charge. She feels that she can write these items off on her taxes and can save parents alot of money too. She is asking the parents to financially participate by sending in food items when they picnic, she is asking them for recycled items for craft and science projects as a donation not a must. She is also asking that if the parents choose to give her gifts during the holidays or at the end of the year, that they purchase Walmart or Staples gift cards so that she can replenish her classroom for the next year. She is receiving great pay with wonderful benefits. For 10 months of work. She is new in the system and stresses her responsiblity to her job and goal for these children. I know of teachers who are being paid 70,000 at year in Wicomico County who have not done anything different then they did 10 years ago, but still seems to get a raise. My work has to improve each year at my evalution time to get a raise. Do teachers? Or do they just keep getting the raise because. If a teacher making 36,000 a year can put out 40.00 a year for her students that she can write off, then I think a 70,000 teacher would not have a problem doing so either.
I have been in classes ranging the entire spectrum here is some advice:
-Take you list when you shop and mark off to avoid duplicates.
-Pens and pencils are use year round in your house so stock up while they are on sale.
-While the sales at various stores are fine don't forget the smaller sized discount stores: Pencils are alway about a dollar in Family Dollar and Dollar general, paper and folders are priced cheap year round also.
Good luck to everyone and remember education is the greatest defense we can invest in and spending your time helping a student is cheaper than summer school or other things.
Actually there is a way to stop it. Only send the bare minimum, not multiples. My son's school a couple of years ago asked for 12 glue sticks, 24 pencils, etc. to add to the class supply. BULLSH**! I sent just enough for him. I have enough to buy for my own without extra students. I know that sounds bad, but when are people going to stop having children if they cannot afford them?
I agree with you, but what gets me is that parent's complain; but yet, there are children that the BOE provides with all supplies needed...yet, those children are walking around in high dollar clothes, bringing their iPods to school, talking about their multiple gaming systems at home, their four-wheelers, dirt bikes, etc.
They make enough to give nice perks like cars to the board of ed. At least they have priorities.
"My kids are attending Sussex Tech and Seaford Middle School this year. Yesterday after visiting three different stores, the bill totaled $147."
That's because you had 8 kids in 6 years. Don't you ever watch TV?
society is, as society does.
(how many leaks can the dam take before it crumbles???)
Last year, we received a list for my daughter's middle school. Being good parents, we purchased the items on the list as requested. First day of school, the teachers had changed and dd didn't need the items we purchased after all....ahem....Never again. We do bare minimum now and wait and see what the first day(s) bring.
Why do BOE employees buy items from local stores when the BOE could be ordering items in bulk and saving $$ in the process? Last summer, I see BOE employees at Sam's Club, WalMart, etc. looking for pencils and crayons. Just gotta spend that money. No surpluses allowed.
There is no excuse for not having proper supplies when organizations all over the place are giving away crayons,markers,pencils,paper and other supplies for free.Just today I drove past a local church and members were on the sidewalk waving around folders and stuff as part of their drive to get people who are in need to stop and get things.I did all my shopping at sales and will only send what my child needs.
LOL Angela by the time our toddlers are in high school they will not be on buses they will "teleport" to school"
Staples has GREAT sales this time of year. Last week it was FREE glue, and this week it's FREE pencils and rulers! Teachers who bring in their ID badges can get 10 of the 'free' items and 25 of the low cost items (like folders at 1 cent each).
There's NO excuse for even asking parents to send in 'extra' items. I'm only obligated to provide for my own child. If you can't afford a folder, then your priorties as a parent are terribly screwed up!
to d ruts m,
I did not have 8 kids in 6 years, I had 4 kids in 14 years and they are each a blessing. I can breed em because my husband and I can feed em! And yes, we do watch t.v.thanks for asking.-trickivicki
1 container of Clorox wipes
1 Bottle of Germ-X
2 boxes of tissues
Boys-1 box quart ziplock bags, Girls-1 box gallon ziplock bags
I feel the teachers should be supplying these things for their classrooms. If you work as a mechanic do expect your customers to bring in oil to do the oil change? If are are a nurse do you expect the patient to bring in their own bandages?
Children NEED supplies for school. Unfortunately, many children come from families that don't value education and/or don't have money for materials. Is it your contention that those children should just go without, and we should just take care of our own? Do we punish the children for the actions of their parents? Is it really going to bust your budget to send in an extra pack of crayons or a few glue sticks? Instead of sitting here blowing off steam, why didn't you view some back-to-school sale fliers, and check out the MANY retailers that offered 20 cents crayons (Crayola!) and 10 cent folders, 50 cent composition books, and 6 pack glue sticks for $1...I could go on, but I think you get my point. It sounds to me like your high bill was due to poor planning.
The fact is dozens of teachers spend several hundred dollars each year in materials for their classrooms, be they necessities or enrichment materials. They are very grateful when they have parents that don't mind helping out by sending in tissues, hand sanitizer, and ziploc bags. You don't want to do it, don't. But I'd like to know that my child's classroom has tissues for kids with runny noses, and hand sanitizer to take care of germy hands before lunch. And yes, I'd like to know that the other students in their classes have the essential materials they need to learn. If their parents won't or can't do it, and my extra $10 worth of materials can help, then I feel like I am doing my share as part of our larger community. It's also a wonderful example to set for your children, letting them see that you're helping children that may be less fortunate. It's as simple as:
Child: "Why do I have to bring in 12 glue sticks?"
Parent: "Well there may be some children whose parents don't have money to buy all of their school supplies. This way the teacher has lots extra, and can quietly give the student what they need."
You have a problem with this? Really?
Don't get hung up on the government waste. It's there in every government program and agency. And the economy is affecting the majority of us; we're all in the same boat. What you are venting about really is as simple as giving children what they need to learn.
And to 11:09...you daughter's students are fortunate to have her! I'm sure she will be a wonderful teacher, and I wish her a long and fulfilling career. However, I think it is a mistake to assume all Wicomico county teachers are like those you spoke of. I happen to know several that do just as your daughter does in regard to their classrooms.
And to 4:47- Do you really think the teacher should have to supply tissues for your child's runny nose? Do you think they should supply hand sanitizer if your child doesn't do a good job washing their hands? Or are you one of those parents that is fortunate enough to have a child that never gets the sniffles and has ALWAYS done an exemplary job of hand washing?
5:01 - Please don't think that I put all teachers in the same category. Without a doubt, there are many GREAT teachers in our school systems. I just think that it is time to get rid of the tenure thing and demand more from those teachers who choose to just ride the system.
Some parents forget that teachers also have to spend money to create a cozy learning environment. Teachers are not supplied with posters, border, markers, chalk, erasers, etc. My first year of teaching I spent about $600 just to prepare my classroom for the students. My walls would have been bare and I would have no materials to teach with. Each year, I spend about $100 to replenish supplies for my students. Yes, I buy crayons, glue sticks, etc., but it is nice to have extra when needed and to not have to hand out 20 packs of crayons every time we need to color.
At my school (in Wicomico Cty) we don't require absurd amounts of supplies. 2 folders, 2 glue sticks, 5 pencils, etc.
Teachers don't just want you to go spend your paycheck on school supplies, but a little help is greatly appreciated.
ldr 5:01
The parents that do NOT bring in supplies are the same parents that buy their children name brand clothes and shoes, and drive up in cars better than mine. Their government assistant housing and health insurance doesn't pay for their children's school supplies, so it's up to me, the everyday struggling parent, to supply to such children --- I think NOT!
Less fortunate children---I think NOT!
And, YES, I do and did look at flyers. . . however, with gas prices these days, it doesn't pay me to go from Berlin to Salisbury to Sam's club or 3 different Dollar General stores to save a dollar. It would cost me more in gas than what it would save me, not to mention the travel time. I had a rewards coupon at Staples, so I chose to go there. That was my plan.
I agree with much that you have to say. Question - Are you a parent? Of how many children? How much did you have to spend on school supplies for your child(ren)?
I posted the supply lists because, apparently, there are readers/commenters that are feel the same as I do.
I heard the WCBOE sent out a memo to all elementary schools to make their lists smaller and to get rid of "name brands". I noticed this change this year when I got my list. I credit them for looking out for us parents.
Now Worcester Co. is another thing. That is absurd!
Amen 5:01!
Anon 11:09 :
"My work has to improve each year at my evalution time to get a raise. Do teachers? Or do they just keep getting the raise because."
In my district, we are evaluated 1-3 times per year depending on what level we are on, and if someone sucks, they are put on an improvement plan. If they don't get better, they get fired.
"If a teacher making 36,000 a year can put out 40.00 a year for her students that she can write off, then I think a 70,000 teacher would not have a problem doing so either."
This is pretty presumptuous... most teachers put out far more than $40 a year... in fact, we can only write off $250 a year... after that, we eat the cost of whatever we spent over and above on your children... but most of us do this because we have your child's best interest at heart.
Anon 4:47
"1 container of Clorox wipes
1 Bottle of Germ-X
2 boxes of tissues
Boys-1 box quart ziplock bags, Girls-1 box gallon ziplock bags
I feel the teachers should be supplying these things for their classrooms. If you work as a mechanic do expect your customers to bring in oil to do the oil change? If are are a nurse do you expect the patient to bring in their own bandages?"
Does a mechanic have to deduct the cost of the oil out of his pay? Does a nurse have to take the cost of a bandage out of her pay? No of course not! Why would we demand that of a teacher?
Providing these items helps keep your children healthy which in turn keeps them in school and keeps you at work making money for your family.
I too got a same grade 2 school supplies list from my daughter's school.
In my district, we are evaluated 1-3 times per year depending on what level we are on, and if someone sucks, they are put on an improvement plan. If they don't get better, they get fired.
I would love to know who got fired. In my experience, teachers are not fired they are moved to another school.
Sunnyinoc-
I have 2 children in elementary school in Wicomico County. I spent about $28 in school supplies. Tissues, hand sanitizer, etc I will get on my next trip to Walmart, as I've amassed a few coupons to go with their low prices. I will likely spend about $12-$15 on those items. I don't count the cost of bookbags in this, as they both had ones they could use again and I CHOSE to buy new ones as they had used the previous ones for a few years already. But with all due respect, I wasn't the one doing the complaining.
As for your assumption that children that don't bring in school supplies are the ones in fancy clothes and shoes, you couldn't be more off base. That is a sweeping generaliztion if ever I've heard one! How much time have you spent at the school volunteering or attending events? Have you looked closely? A large percentage of Wicomico County children are living in the poverty level. Many of them DO NOT wear brand name clothes. In fact, many of them are wearing clothes that don't fit them, because that's what they have.
You are referring to a specific group of people that ride the welfare train and take advantage of government programs. The children are NOT responsible for this! They learn what they live at home, and again, education is not valued. Wouldn't it behoove us as a society to show these children that others DO care about them and the things they need? My goodness, we're talking about some glue sticks and crayons here!
Again, I have to ask, do we punish these children for the actions of their parents?
Idr
And to 4:47- Do you really think the teacher should have to supply tissues for your child's runny nose? Do you think they should supply hand sanitizer if your child doesn't do a good job washing their hands? Or are you one of those parents that is fortunate enough to have a child that never gets the sniffles and has ALWAYS done an exemplary job of hand washing?
First let me get a few things straight. My child has already graduated. So I have no NEED to supply these things to teachers. However in the 13 years my son attended the school systems here I had 2...... 2 teachers that I thought were worthy and I just took the one teacher a ton of supplies even though I have no kids in school. The items I mentioned should NOT be forced upon parents to buy. A simple note from the teacher asking for certain items if the parent can afford it.
anon 11:51
Providing these items helps keep your children healthy which in turn keeps them in school and keeps you at work making money for your family.
Maybe you shouldn't assume such things. As I stated to someone else just a few minutes ago I have no children in school. Yet I did dontate a ton of stuff tissues and sanitizers included because I WANTED TO not because I have a student and it was on a list and was expected of me.
I don't remember my parents in the 70's sending me to school with hand sanitizer and tissues. We washed our hands at school and wiped our noses on our shirts.
1:23
Since you don't currently have children in school then maybe you are not aware of the fact that the extra items (tissues, sanitizer, etc) are not things we are "forced" to buy. In fact, some supply lists have these items under "Requested donations" at the bottom of the list.
LOL at 3:31! I don't think hand sanitizer was around in the 70's. If it was, maybe parents just didn't suffer from germ phobia like we do today! I remember having a crusty sleeve or two myself...and my youngest daughter will still sometimes prefer her sleeve over the box of tissues sitting right in front of her.
ldr--
i take my children to school every morning, spend about 1 hour per morning doing whatever needs to be done. i pick my children up every afternoon. i sometimes come early to see if anyone needs any help or need copies ran off for last minute homework.
i donate clothes, coats, underwear, hats, gloves and shoes to the nursing station for students that need them.
i attend and donate my time to almost every bake sale, book sale, etc that i can attend.
i attend every pta meeting and teacher's conference to stay on top of what's going on in my children's classrooms.
everyone knows my name at my children's school. that's how i like it.
so, yes, i know who takes advantage of the system. yes, i know it's a learned life by choice of parenting. yes, i know it's just a box of crayons, but, damnit, it has to stop somewhere!
Idr
I didn't just go into the school section and pick random things off the shelf. I picked up the list from different classes and used those to buy the things. The tissues and sanitizers were on several of the list and it was also on Sunnyinoc's list she posted as well. So while some list may say they are requested donations many of the list have them as needed school supplies right along with the pens, pencils, paper etc.
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