On top of all the pencils, colors, markers, paper, composition books, erasers etc etc, we also have to provide paper towels 2 rolls each child, 8 bx tissues,
8 germ X, 6 bxs zip lock bags gallon, 6 bxs zip lock quart size,4 LG containers of bleach free wipes, 2 containers of baby wipes.

Now they have gone and added white copy paper, color copy paper and once again this year expo markers. This alone has cost me 75.88 ! 6 white, 4 color, 6 package of 4 expos.This is just for 3 of my 4 children.

Now each child also has a school fee this year, in the past its only been the middle schooler and her fee is 50.00, but not this year.

8th grader 40.00 PLUS English Fee and Science Fee apx 15.00 each

5th grader 20.00 PLUS a Fee later in the year for scholastic news and Science, PLUS a 5.00 busing Fee for bowling over the 40.00 fee to bowl.

2nd grader 15.00 School Fee plus 4.00 for Scholastic News

total in fees $ 154 .00 !! FOR WHAT ?!! We are already suppling copying paper, expo markers, paper towels, hand soap, germ x, Plus their basic school supplies.

But the killer has to be my 3rd graders list, On his list they are asking for this. I just got his list today in the mail.

3 baby wipes
3 bleach free sanitizer wipes
4 paper towels
2 bx multiplication cards
2 gallon zip locks
3 quart zip locks
3 tissues
5 zipped pencils bags
6 expo 4- marker packages
6 sticky notes
6 pks of High Lighters
6 pks index cards
6 pks of copying paper, 3 white, 3 color
PLUS 20.00 SCHOOL FEE, They have LOST it. all this for 1 classroom !

I think this is nuts to ask parents to supply all this. I'm sorry the schools are not getting the money, however, we didn't magically get any raises and our income is still the same as it's been for last 4 years. I don't care that some parents don't send in the supplies, I already know most goes into a " share" box, however, I don't think it's fair to ask for this in the amount of 6 each !
I don't see how any family with more than 1 child in school LIKE US with 4 in school Will be able to afford this with everything else too, supplies, fees, uniforms, lunches, snacks, drinks, etc...
This is getting out of hand if you ask me. Its crazy !. Please tell me other schools are not asking for this in the amounts my son's classroom is asking.

I can see we will be broke all this month. P.s this is Public Schools.

Are expo markers those dry erase ones? Would it be cheaper to order a case thru Office Max or Depot?

I have 5 in grade school, I soo know what you mean.

__________________
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking

Yes expo's are same as the dry erase. The cheapest I found them was last week at walgreen had thier sale for 2.99 4 pk,( now they are the cheapest at wal-mart at 3.96 ) but I only got 2 pks thinking my 2nd grader and 5th grader would need them. But as it turns out my 8th grader also has to have them, but my 3rd grader teacher asking for 6 packages of 4 makers is NUTS.! I'm not happy at all about having to buy the copy paper and esp the color as wal-mart is the cheapest on both, but the color only has 100 sheets and its 3.96 a ream., If I was to buy all 6 being requested just for his classroom it will look like this

3 baby wipes $ 6.00
3 bleach free sanitizer wipes $ 6.00
4 paper towels $ 2.00
2 bx multiplication cards 4.00 (?)
2 gallon zip locks $ 4.00
3 quart zip locks $ 4.00
3 tissues $ 4.00 altho this will have 4 boxes
5 zipped pencils bags $ 5.00
6 expo 4- marker packages $ 23.76
6 sticky notes $ 6.00
6 pks of High Lighters $ 6.00
6 pks index cards $ 5.28
6 pks of copying paper, 3 white, 3 color $ 23.76

Total for just his classroom $ 93. 80 Plus the schools fee of 20.00 $ 113.80 Thats crazy !!.

All I can say is WOW. Up until a 4 or 5 years ago our school district would not even allow the schools to ask for anything. Then the budgets started getting cut and they would send home a list with maybe 6 things on it like 1 box markers, 1 box crayons, pencils,lined paper, pencil box and binder. If the child didn't bring it the teacher supplied it. We have never had any fees at all. Our public school is K-8th and my 7th and 8th grader got longer lists then I have ever seen, but after seeing your list it is not much. Plus they are supplying their own supplies not the teachers or other kids too.
GENERAL SUPPLIES for each child,
Red correcting pens
Pens, blue and black only
1 package #2 pencils
1 pink eraser
1 highlighter pen
1 box colored pencils
1 box markers
1 box fine tip markers
1 med or fine point Sharpie
1 tape
1 glue stick
Scissors
1 ream of loose leaf paper
Small pencil sharpener
1 flash drive
LANGUAGE ARTS/HISTORY
1 two inch three ring binder
2 packs of 3x5 cards
1 package of 5 subject dividers
1 recipe box
SCIENCE
3 single subject spiral notebooks
1 ruler
2 rolls paper towels
1 liquid hand soap
MATH
Graph paper notebook spiral bound
Calculator
2 boxes of Kleenex

It is a long list but mostly 1 of each item not 6. It shouldn't be too bad.

If you add it all up for all 4 kids this is the list of all their supplies.

11 boxes colors 24
3 pks 12 color pencils
2 pk 20 or more color markers
4 prs scissors
8 jumbo erasers
4 pks of 10 or more pencils cap erasers
8 glue sticks
8 bottles of school glue
8 hand held pencil sharpers with caps
10 composition books
2 composition books with graph lines
2 pk 10 or more black pens
2 pk 10 or more red pens
2 pk 10 or more blue pens
3 pk of 80 or more sheets of construction paper 9 x 12
10 pks index cards
12 paper towels
11 bx tissues
8 germ X
9 bxs zip lock bags gallon
9 bxs zip lock quart size
7 LG containers of bleach free wipes
5 containers of baby wipes
9 white copy paper
7 color copy paper
2 bx multiplication cards
8 zippered pencil bags
3 pencil boxes
12 4 pk expo markers
6 pk sticky notes
9 pk 4 or more high lighters
8 pk of 10 or more mechanical pencils
20 pk of 150 or more sheets of loose leaf paper
205 # 2 pencils ( my 2nd grader has to have 72 of the 205 I have to buy)
28 3 prong folders
3 2 inch binders
3 1 inch binders
3 1 inch white view binder
1 2 inch white view binder
6 pks of dividers
4 hand soap
3 book bags
4 lunch-snack bags
4 drinking bottles with caps or flip tops

$ 174.00 school fees

PLUS
20 pairs of uniform long pants = $ 380.00 got these last month
20 uniform shirts = $ 150.00 got these last month
20 pair uniform shorts $ 380.00 got these last month
4 pr shoes $ 73.00 got these tonight
socks, panties, underwear, t-shirts = around $50 or so I cant member
school logo P.E uniform $ 20.00 paid for this 3 days ago
Hair bans- pony tail holder $ 15.00 got these tonight

I didn't get lucky this year where my kids could wear last years uniforms .
We were broke all last month from buying the uniforms, looks as if this month won't be much better. I did luck out and get a few things thats been on sale between office depot and staples, however, there's always limits and thats really didn't help when they need MORE than you are allowed on the limits. I'm still waiting to hear if we get 1/2 lunch this year or full price, I'm hoping it will be 1/2 like last year as they went up on breakfast and lunch half way thru the school year. Plus as always we have to send snacks for the 3 of my 4 kids daily or they send a nasty lil note home telling you to send it in next day. My 8 th grader wont take a snack ( says thats for "kids" LOL ).So she takes water like my 10 yo does ( he wont take anything but water ). I'm starting to feel we need to be millionaires to send these kids to school. ACK guess I'm just blowing off steam really, I'm just so irked over my 3rd graders list with this 6 deal. Thanks everyone for letting me vent, I'll be OK ( LOL till I look at the checking account balance in a few days )

That is a good list and you are right at least it's only 1 or 2, But still a long list, it's like nickle and dimming you to death LOL. I don't get it myself, I have to wonder about the families that have middle, Elementary and high schoolers at same time. I don't know but was told the high school fees are somewhere in the neighborhood of 125.00, but I'm not for sure as I don't have anyone I know with a high school child. These list and fees are going to really hurt a lot of people this year, I foresee a lot of kids going w/o a lot of the supplies since the schools have added this new school fee.. I hope it doesn't get any worse.

That is nuts! When I was in school all we needed was a #2 pencil and a 3 subject notebook!

I don't have kids... I am wondering what do they do with all that stuff.. like the plastic baggies ??

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The whole thing irritates me as well. You are supplying janitorial items, office items, teacher items, and supplies for other children.

The one that gets me the most is the hand sanitizer. They should be promoting good hand washing with soap and water, not a squirt of sanitizer that most likely doesn't get spread around before it dries. Using that all the time is not good, it should be used in cases where sioap and water is not available.

op have you talked to the school? Although I expect they will tell you that's how it is, budget, etc, etc.

dl

Thats a good question, but I don't have a clue. In the list it says ZIP LOCK brand ONLY. I have only seen in the last 8 years of my kids being in school a zip lock bag the last day of school when they receive back the supplies not used, Ha which wasn't much. last year my 1 st grader and 2nd grader came home with get this... 2nd grader 8 colors( sent in 6 24 count boxes ),1- scissor( sent in 2 prs ). 1 pencil ( sent on 52 pencils ). The 1st grader 1 unused box of colors, 2 pencils ( sent in 48 ) and some kind of clay thing.
I was lucky last year and when either office depot or staples one ran the colors on sale for .05 a 24 count box. The limit was 20 boxes so I got 1 case( 24 bxs per case ) for 1st grader and 1 case for 2nd grader and gave it to their teachers. Plus I also took in the Huge size of germ x and soft soap both on sale for 3.99. Oh which reminds me, Walgreen's has the soft soap on sale this week for 3.99 the huge refill bottle in case anyone needs it. Back to your question LOL sorry got sidetracked, I don't know what they do with all the baggies. Each box has in the gallon 13 bags and the quart size I think it's 75(?) now when you times this by 22 students thats 286 gallon size and 1100 of the quart size ( granted its 50 per box ).. I know for us we didnt see anything being used to take home using a baggie.

No , But I expect I'll get the same as last year "budget", other parents not sending in supplies * share box *..etc etc same old song and dance different school year. I'm more ticked at the school fees and extra demands on the most expensive items than anything really.It irks me to no end when they tell me about the share box I always reply with the same , Sorry but ANYONE can afford a .25 box of colors ( Wal-mart ), 24 pencils 1.00 ( dollar tree and Wal-mart ). .75 note book paper ( Wal-mart) scissor 2pk at dollar tree I seen just tonight 1.00. This is the BARE but at least they can color, write and have paper total 3.00 Min cost !!.. Now I usually don't say things like this, but if a parent can't afford 3.00 then they really don't need to have kids in school. Home school them and give them paper towels to write on and a piece of charcoal to write with ( Yes I know I'm being a smart ass ). But this is really getitng out of hand. I understand the teachers don't make a lot of money, but hell neither does 90% of families these days. It's crazy I tell ya.

And I couldn't agree with you more on the hand washing. Use SOAP not this germ X stuff. and I don't know about anyone else, But have you ever accidentally picked food up after using this stuff and put it in your mouth .OMG gross !.

On another note. what ever happen to using a CHALK BOARD to write on ??. Chalk is so cheap for what 1 pk of expos cost you could get months and months of chalk for same price !! I seen chalk tonight for .25 for 20 sticks.

I have no problem if it is used for my child. I am not into buying all this stuff and it is used for everyone else in the COUNTY! I do not believe in pooling everything together.

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Neither do I, but I get it anyway. I have always had the fear if I didn't the teacher's will single out my child and make their school year hard.I buy and buy for other peoples children and I think it's shameful for any parent NOT to send in at the least colors, pencils, paper, scissors but you would be surprised at the number of parents that don't even send in pencils forget about colors or paper. Last year my then 1st grader teacher told me she had only 13 of the 22 students to bring in colors and how she appreciated me giving the classroom the case of colors. It felt good to know it was appreciated but still all in all parents are getitng more and more on this BS I'm not sending in anything !. I say then KEEP THEM HOME and home school them. But like you I don't mind buying for MY child needs and I hate the fact that I'm having to buy 4 fold because some other parent has this BS attitude I'm not doing it at all.

We won't get our lists until Aug 18 when we go pick up schedules. Last year wasn't too bad for my daughter's first year at middle school. They didn't ask for the paper towels and stuff. Just the dry erase markers and ziploc bags. Just her supplies so I'm hoping it's the same this year.The only problem was 1 teacher who was insisting on a certain brand notebook that was $10. What really ticked me off was that they barely used it. Good thing I didn't buy the brand she wanted. I'm not sure if her school fees will change this year but last year it was $42 once I bought her gym uniform.
.

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Mom to Katie 1/95 and Sara 5/97

Is this a public or private school??

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I can't believe all this (but I do believe you!). My kids are grown now, but when they were in school we had to send in a box of tissues, that's it. For middle and high school, we bought them the normal stuff for their personal use. I teach in a high school, and I buy tissues and hand sanitizer (for when they cough or sneeze) for my room. I don't know how you guys can afford to send your kids to school, or have enough money left to buy clothes for them!

Edited to ask: what the heck is a school fee for a public school?

This is the class list of stuff my DD needs this year

FOURTH GRADE-Pencils - 1 pack (6) - #2 lead, no pens until 2nd semester, paper - white, wide rule, 12" ruler- metric/ English meas., glue, pointed scissors, crayons - 24, markers, art box, 8 folders with pockets, 2 boxes of Kleenex tissues, 1 thin marker for checking work - not red, No trapper-keepers, No mechanical pencils.


Plus $101.93 for text book fees for the year.


Won't know what my son needs till first week of middle school.

__________________

I will probably get flamed for this, but in the past when my sons had things like "Two 4- pack Expo Markers" on the list, I would go and talk to the teacher and tell her we could not afford an extra $10 for those markers. Somehow they managed with plain old white chalk on a board. I have always bought all of the essentials and some extras - I'm one of of those couponers who will send in extra boxes of tissues and paper towels without being asked. And if six packs of index cards are on the list, I will send in one pack each grading period. I will not be held hostage by the public schools, especially when I have donated my time and products generously over the years. I also will not be told to buy a certain brand of crayons or notebook, especially if the specified brand costs three times as much as another that will do just as well. Luckily my 2 youngest are in 10th and 7th grade, so they are past the crayon and marble comp book stage.

To producemama and others in Indiana - I have always been curious as to the reason given for charging textbook fees in your state. I know some states charge sales tax on food and some don't, and the public school systems vary greatly in certain class fees, but seems to me the basic schoolbooks should be covered by property taxes or other funding for the schools. I don't see how those with multiple children in school can afford those book fees - are the schools required to waive the fees for those on free lunch or otherwise low-income? Just curious here, not criticizing Indiana in general.

Well, I know that some of their books are workbooks that they write in. So that could be part of the fee. They do break the fee up to half per semester if you can't pay it all at once.

I think they do wave at least part of the textbook fee for free/reduced lunch if not all the fee.

But our school is really good at having supplies for the teachers. Very seldom does a teacher or aide have to buy any supplies out of pocket. Now I don't know if that is funded through the textbook fee or the PTO.

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My questions are : How is a child suppose to carry all of that into school? Where is the teacher going to put all of that stuff?

I am a teacher in a private school. We have always had the normal pencils, crayons, paper. Then slowly it was kleenex. Then paper towels and cleaning supplies. Next it was wipes. K-3 started asking for more things and got them. Last year we had a new principal and she did it differently. The parents pay a small fee (I think $20 per student) and the school supplies the wipes, kleenex, etc. We as teacher can only ask parents to buy the normal stuff. That is fine with me. I never asked for more just kleenex and that was a pain to find a place to keep them in my room.

I don't know what teachers use zipper lock bags for but the expo pens could be used for individual white boards which are like little chalkboards.

Talk to the teacher and see what she really needs.

As far as chalk and chalkboards, I think they've become "obsolete". Dry erase boards are supposedly cleaner and easier to maintain (no chalk dust). I doubt you'll find many new schools with chalkboards these days and many schools have replaced their chalkboards with dry erase boards.

I know our teachers' classroom budgets were cut DRASTICALLY this year and in fact, our PTO agreed to donate $150 to each teacher to help ease some of the costs of setting up a classroom.

We also have to pay $40 in fees for middle school. This helps offset the cost of postage, agendas, paper, copies etc. Mostly administrative stuff. Does it fill my heart with joy to do that? No. *lol* But I do it because I know what a lousy (non-existent) budget our public schools run on.

I have a friend who teaches middle school and I ran into her last week in WalMart while she was buying school supplies for her room with her own money because she knew some of the kids wouldn't have them on the first day.

Do I like buying supplies that go into a community pot? No. Do I understand? Yeah. You can't punish the kids for what their parents will and won't do. If buying extras can save a couple of kids the embarrassment of not having supplies, well, I can live with it.

What bothers me most is buying stuff that never gets used and not having it returned at the end of the year. That drives me nuts! And I won't even get into monies being spent on stupid things (our new school has a $1000 newspaper rack for the library--hello!) when it could be better spent somewhere else...

I think I would ask the teacher if this was a typo? Even if it wasn't, she'll get the hint. Six sets of some items? I don't know about that...that does seem a little extreme.

WOW, that is some list there. I would guess that the teacher is counting on most people not even bringing any of it. I've seen it happen myself.

Last year I was in the classroom a lot, and really got to see how it was run and the things that are needed, etc. I also got to know the children and their parents. Sadly, many of these kids don't even get breakfast at home, let alone a box of tissues to take to school. This does not excuse them of their responsibilities to provide what their child needs for school.... within reason. Copy paper??? So many of each item??? Ridiculous!!!

I would speak with the teacher before school starts. Most teachers have to be there 2 weeks prior. I would also speak with the president of the PTO/PTA at your school. They are supposed to do the fund raising that goes on. Maybe they can vote on giving a few cases of copy paper to the school?? I know every one has had budget cuts, but, that list just seems ridiculouse.

Good Luck. oH, and personally, I would only send in what you can, and only one of it. If more is needed during the year, I'm sure the teacher will send home a note.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Mine are beyond elementary school now, they're in 7th & 10th grade, but I was so happy at the last PTO meeting last year. The principal was saying the supply list was going to be late (it's usually published sometime by the end of school - this year the end of June). She was having a talk with the teachers to make sure the list was "real". She wanted to be sure they were actually going to use what was on the list and it wasn't going home at the end of the year unused.

It ended up being:


1 100- pck loose leaf paper
pencils, red ink pen
2 pkgs Expl dry-erase markers
1 box colored pencils
3 spiral notebooks
1 2" 3-ring binders
1 1/2 " 3-ring binder
1 1" 3-ring binder
4 pkgs 5-subject dividers
1 pkg of 100 3x5 lined note cards
1 pkg index cards
1 pocket folder
2 theme books

They only thing that really bugged me were the 2" 3-ring binders were $7.47 each at WalMart. I hope they use them! Also, I don't know why they need 2 packs of dry erase markers. I bought her one pack, but she has some left from last year that she can use. I told her if they all died, I'd buy her more later during the year.

I really appreciated her getting the list to what they'll (supposedly) use.

I don't get the 10th grader's list until she goes to class. Each teacher gives what they want.

Lisa

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It's wanting what you've got"

I joined our PTO board last year and boy, oh boy, what a learning experience. Yes, PTO is in charge of fundraising but we can only do so much with the money we raise. And when people are already complaining about having to pay school fees the last thing they want to hear is "Would you like to join PTO? Dues are $5 per family per year..." Or "Would you like to buy...?" Oh my, the reaction from some people. I had to work the PTO membership table for my oldest son's school this past week (he's in middle school) and the grouchy people who flatly refuse to join (or even kick in the $5 for dues) is overwhelming, not to mention disheartening. (The good thing is that you learn to develop a thick skin and not to take surly people too personally. )

We try not to sell stuff for fundraisers but rely on quick, fun and EASY fundraisers for the school. Last year we did a dance (and people fussed about that), a festival (on which I worked my butt off for two days and we netted a whopping $160) and we had a sweatshirt sale in the fall when school started.

And let me say that we were called upon OFTEN to foot the bill for various things throughout the year and we NEVER denied paying for anything.

We try to help where we can but once the money is gone, that's it. And when people are unwilling and/or unable to donate more money we can't help. It's a vicious circle.

And I do think that some teachers' lists are insane--no way would I feel comfortable buying an obvious excess of school supplies. But hopefully lists like that one are the exception, not the rule.

There are no chalk boards left in the classrooms here, only white boards. What school administration doesn't seem to understand is when a list of supplies a mile long is requested, some parents don't have the money so they don't send in any supplies. If a shorter list was requested, perhaps the basics would at least be sent in.
No school fees here and calculators are provided starting in 5th grade all the way through 12th grade. The TI-84 SE is supplied starting in 8th grade. Teachers do request batteries and I'm happy to help out with that. I bought DD a TI-84 last year at Office Depot for about $55 after rebates and rewards points were applied at MyPoints. This summer she attended the CPEP workshop and received another TI-84 for not missing a day. So DS now has a calculator of his own. However, neither one takes them to school, they're strictly for at home use with homework.
I took a look at the grade school supply list and it's just the basics plus 2 boxes Kleenex, 4 ct Expo, 1 pkg Post-its. Also, wipes for K. Nothing else, no Ziplocs, copy paper, paper towels or GermX.
For those that have a Sam's Club, they have a 67.6 pump bottle of antibacterial for $6.73. This is much cheaper than smaller bottles. DD, and now DS, had/has an English teacher that was a GermX freak. As a teacher appreciation gift, I bought the huge bottle for her May 08. She still had over half a bottle at the end of school May 09!! Teachers could use it to fill smaller bottles as it takes a very short pump to get enough.
I have no clue what some of you pay towards the school district in personal taxes. We pay $892 to the school district in taxes.
Our jr high copiers have access codes assigned to each teacher. That way each teacher is held accountable for the number of copies they make hopefully cutting down on wasteful copying.
When my children were in grade school, I'd wait until January to send in Kleenex. By then the teacher was out or close to being out of Kleenex.

OP-your list looks just like mine, except for the MULTIPLES of things. That is ridiculous. I have four kids to buy supplies for, you would think they all use the same format. 2nd and 5th grades give lengthy lists, then also gives separate lists for individual teachers-and we don't find out who our teachers are until mid-August!

I have one in the middle school, and one in the high school too-it's crazy!

__________________
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Music is what feelings sound like._ ~Author Unknown

What I want to know is just where the teachers are going to store all this stuff!

If 1/4 of the kids brought in a complete list, 1/2 brought in one of everything on the list and the rest brought in nothing, that's a LOT of stuff to store.

OP, I'd check with the principal/administrator/etc. to see if those things are really needed. If they are, I'd only buy 1 to send in with the kids on the the first day. All of the things on the list will last a while and I'd tell the kids I'll provide more if they run out later on.

I'm just curious how public schools can charge a textbook fee. I understand having to pay for a textbook if you lose/damage it but charging a fee just to use textbooks? Not sure how that can be legal.

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No kidding! In a class of 20 kids, if every kid brought in this stuff there would be 120 of some of these items.

5 zippered pencil bags per kid? WTH would they need that many for?

__________________
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My girls are both high school now so the needs are different and luckily most of what I buy is directly for them to use, not everyone else
As for the Zip Loc, those are used in the health room at the elem. school I work to make disposable ice packs. I would guess 50 or more kids come in a day with the slightest boo-boo and an ice pack makes it all better. If you try to just send them back to class you end up with a call from a parent that is pissed because you didn't baby their child. GRRR!! With that said, I am not agreeing that parents should supply schools with these baggies. I also don't think regular teacher supplies (paper towels, copy paper, expo markers, etc) should be supplied by parents either.
The whole thing on text book fees really has me going hmmmm....

I know teachers will sometimes give the students Ziplocs to keep items for a project they're doing--ideally those items will be stored in the bag and pieces won't get lost. Other times they will keep index cards in them if they're doing research for a paper. And other times teachers will bag up their bulletin board projects (die cuts, letters etc) in them to store them until they use them again.

I know they use them for lots of things--now whether I'd consider them a necessity...I don't know.

I do think lists have gotten crazier as years have gone by. I haven't given either of my two boys' lists a good look but I'm sure there will be two or three things that'll give me a good eye roll and sigh.

SunSetBeach: Are you in Alabama? We used to live in Tuscaloosa and I almost fell over when my little girl started kindergarten. We had to buy toilet paper, paper towels, wet wipes. Pretty much all of the kids had to supply cleaning products. The main thing I could not believe is that we had to had over a 25.00 check for any extra supplies that they may need later in the school year. We spent almost 100.00 for her supplies, and then we ended moving to GA about 45 days later for my husbands job and never got anything back. In Ga this year we only had to spend about 10.00 in supplies. Much better. Also, in GA, they do not have paid teacher helpers and the parents were asked to volunteer for shifts to help out because the teacher had to deal with 23 students and thier were about five different centers that she had to teach.

Wow! I guess we are pretty lucky. My 13 year old usually only has to have paper, pencils, some folders a 5 subject notebook, then through out the year some different items like a calculator, protractor but depends on what/when they are working on working on it as to when they ask to have stuff sent in. Lots of money goes to being a cheerleader and playing softball though, but those are optional sports. This is junior high.

My grandsons 1st grade school list is:
1- pack 24 crayons
1- glue stick
1- bottle glue
2- pocket folders
12- #2 pencils
1- school box
1- scissor
1- backpack
1- watercolors
1- colored pencils
1- markers
2- boxes tissue
2- boxes baby wipes
$5.00 art fee

My grandaughters 5th grade school list is:
1- 24 box crayons
1- washable markers
6- red grading pens
12- #2 pencils
5- pencil top erasers
1- dry erase marker (can you really buy just 1 marker?)
6- pocket folders
1-scissor
4-tennis balls
1- planner
2- tissue boxes
1- ruler
1- pack notebook paper
1- backpack
1- bottle hand sanitizer
$5.00 art fee
$5.00 dictionary fee ? (what the heck is this?)
tennis shoes for PE

None of our lists are too outrageous! My church buys school supplies and backpacks for all the kids that attend our Wednesday night kids church group, there are only about 12-15 kids. Every year I find out what type backpack they want Hannah Montana, Spiderman, Nike and I do my best to get exactly what they want when I shop. I also take along the school supply lists from the newspaper and buy bunches of supplies that coordinate with their lists. On our back to school party night we have pizza, hand out backpacks and play games and all the prizes they win are school supplies. The kids AND the parents love that we do this every year!

Our womens group at church also takes up donations of school supplies and donates to the school for kids who can't afford to buy any. We also keep some school supplies in our church food pantry to give out if someone needs it.

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Another use for ziplocs - when my kids were in elementary, they'd use them to send home leftover or treats after school parties. They'd bring so much the kids couldn't eat it all, so they'd pack it up and send it home - cookies, candies, other treats.

Lisa

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Last time I checked, a public school can only give you a "suggested" supply list. They can't require that you provide a thing. Free education and all that jazz...

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I'm awake now had to get me a nap stayed up way too late searching for school deals on line ...

They don't carry the supplies.The schools ask you to bring in the supplies on meet the teacher night. But I guess if a parent miss the meet the teacher they bring in the supplies 1st day of school or I would hope thats what they do. If I'm unable to go that night I just take the supplies on 1st day of school but rarely do I miss that night with having 4 kids in 4 different schools thats a lot of traveling on the 1st day back.

I don't have a clue to where the teachers store this stuff, But I'm picturing this huge huge room with shelving wall to wall and the teachers put the stuff there and remove as needed. I really don't know. I'm still pretty much in shock over all this.

What Toonces said. They still have to educate your kids.
Judy

HOLY COW EVERYONE !

Y'all got me to thinking maybe the list I received might have been a typo on the teachers part so I went to the school's website to take a look to see if this teacher had her list, al tho they didn't have it per teacher they did have a STANDARD grade list for each of the 7 (K-6) grades. I looked over every grade and the 3rd grade is the ONLY grade asking for 6 of some items, most had very few items and 1 grade only had like 8 items. All them are asking for 15.00 in fees but my son's teacher put down 20.00. I'm very upset that the 3rd grade looks as if they are the ones supplying the WHOLE school with expos, paper towels, sticky notes, high lighters and index cards, While the standard list only has 1 ream of copy paper , my list has 3 of each.

this is the standard 3rd grade list of supplies.

1 package of const paper
2 packages of # 2 pencils
1 pk pencil top erasers
1 lg bottle of school glue
4 bx colors 24 count
4 lg packages of notebook paper NO College ruled
1 pr fiskar scissors
2 vinyl pocket 3 prong folders
2 bx gallon zip lock bags ( Girls )
3 bx quart zip lock bags ( Boys)
3 bx tissues
1 bottle of germ X
2 bx Multiplication cards
3 bx baby wipes ( Boys )
4 rolls paper towels ( girls )
5 lg fabric zipped pencil bags OMG Every 3rd grader has to have this
6 pks dry erase markers OMG WTH !!
6 paper towels, Hmm didnt the girls already have to bring 4 rolls already ! So in total the girls have to bring in a total of 10 paper towels
6 pks index cards
6 pk sticky notes
6 high lighters
1 pks copy paper ( No color listed only copy paper )

15.00 school fee ..

Man I'm totally pissed now ! I thought well maybe shes asking for this because my son's classroom is very small and being its so small this will get them thru the year, but now seeing this ''standard" 3rd grade list ALL of them are being asked to bring in 6 of some items. E1 can bet I WILL be on the phone monday with the school and the school board this is NOT fair, I'll be DAMNED if we as a parents of a 3rd grader will supply the whole school all because he just happens to be in the 3rd grade.Did s1 do a study and determ that parents of 3rd graders had MORE money to spend than K,1,2,4,5,6 Graders ?.

Now take a look at the 2nd grade and 4th grade list

2nd grade & 4th grade

24 # 2 pencils
2 and 3 bxs colors 24 count (2nd grade 3bx, 4th grade 2 boxes)
3- 4 loose notebook paper ( 2nd grade 3 packages, 4th grade 4 packages )
3- 7 folders with pockets 3 prong( 2nd grade 3 folders, 4th grade 7 folders)

1 EACH 2nd and 4th grades, Hell for that matter K,1st, 5th and 6th
paper towels
tissues
expo markers
high lighter
wipes
germ X
copy paper

Book Bag
pencil Bag

15.00 school fee

I'M SO MAD NOW.. I can't wait to hear why we as 3rd grader parents have to have 6 of some items while the other 6 grades only have to have 1. I don't think now I'm sending in 6 of the items, why should we as parents of 3rd graders have to shell out 5 times MORE than any other grades ?..I have already had 2- 3rd graders in the past and I didn't see where anyone grade had more than the next to write, wipe, clean or copy. I feel we are being singled out for some strange reason all because our children happen to be in the 3rd grade this year. UNFREAKIN REAL.

First off, I would complain loudly to any school that doesn't provide the list by the first of July. What good does a list do after all the good sales are over? And for the ones that want multiples of items, I would send one and tell the teacher to let me know when another is needed. My grandson usually brings home a plea for more tissues by the first of the year, and last year I think it was glue as well.

I've seen the supplies piles that have come in and many parents just send whatever brand they can either find or afford. One year it was stipulated the amount and brand of colored pencils. We sent in what we could find at a reasonable price. A colored pencil, is a colored pencil.

The last two years, the PTA has offered to do the shopping for you. They take every list and filled the order for $50. A great many parents took them up on this. No fuss, no muss. But looking at OP's list, that $50 wouldn't have gone very far. But the PTA buying in bulk like that probably could, (although I don't know if they did), have gotten really good prices.

That original list is shameful. If I was that teacher, I don't think I would have had the guts to send that out.

Yup. I do believe you're right.

I work in kindergarten, an we do use the ziplocs a lot. They keep different items in their desk, for example, Teddy bear counters, It is so much easier to have them keep the in the ziploc as opposed to rolling around in their desk. There a couple other things they keep in their desk in them also.

Plus we use them when we do our little readers that we send home with a slip in the bag, then they bring it back and over and over again, after about a month of this, the bag starts to tear, so then I get them a new one.

I know there is more stuff we use the baggies for, I just am drawing a blank now.

We went through probably 70 boxes or more of kleenex this past year. Those were the runniest noses I had ever seen....

__________________

You are totally right, I did hit the sales on the items I knew they needed, paper, pencils, pencil bags, pens. But I never ever dreamed they would need this many of some items. I got just a few packages of pencils # 2 for the 3rd grader and 2nd grader, my 8th and 5th like the mech pencils which I did get plenty of those for .25 a package of 5, the index cards were on sale for .25 BUT I only got 4 pks - 1 for each child.The notebook paper is still on sale at walgreens 3/ 1.59 I went back last night and got another 12 packages, But the expos that sale is over and doesn't look as if it will go back on sale before school starts, I ONLY got 2 @ 2.99 thinking the 2 kids in lower grades would need them, never dreamed 3rd grade wold be asked for 6 and my 8th grader also asked for 1 package. I never would have thought thier list would be this way or I would have made multi trips while on sale ( even tho I don't like to do things like this seems like cheating in a way ). But my goodness I can't afford all this stuff at the reg price.. But I have copied their supply list for next year so I will KNOW to stock up on this stuff when it's on sale. I'll not be caught off guard again.

I too, would be ashamed to ask my parents to supply 6 of these items. I guess some believe they are the ONLY one having money problems.

Oh only 1 school offered the PTA supplies @ 25.00. However, what my 2nd grader is needing that 25.00 is MORE than what I can get the items for. The PTA doesn't have the wipes, paper towels, hand soap nor the germ X for that 25.00 you still buy this.

Free education? It cost me $410 to register my high school daughter and $180 to register my middle school daughter. That doesn't include supplies! A few are optional, but most are required.

Lisa

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Yes, I use those markers for the children to write with on their own little boards. We have no chalk boards, so chalk would be useless. The zipper bags are used for many things in my Kindergarten room. As for germ x, we squirt before lunch in my room.

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I just asked all 4 of the kids if they used the expo markers and they all said no the teacher does. So they markers are for the use of the teachers only. and really I don;t have a "Huge" problem with buying these even if its only for the teachers. I don't mind buying the basic either ( colors, pencils, paper, folders, scissors, pens etc ). and I really can't say I mind sending in the paper towels 3 rolls @ walmart is less than 2.00, the Germ X can be costly if you buy that brand, but I get the one at the dollar tree. Hand Soap I send in teh huge bottle of the refill of soft soap ( on sale now for 3.99 walgreens )/ But it does irk me to have to supply copy paper and color copy paper ( why color ? ) This is not useful since a package only has 100 sheets ! I'm sure you probably could get a larger package but I'm not running all over the county side hunting it down as I'm sure most parents wouldn't either so its 100 sheets. The expo markers I don't like either, this is STANDARD teacher supply which should be covered PER the school board. I'm sure they are more able to buy in bulk than the avg family can. or ask for 3.50 from each parent and the school board can work a deal out in bulk which I'm sure the school would still come out ahead in price and amount doing it that way. I don't agree with having to supply paper towels also should be up to the school board to buy again I'm sure they can buy in bulk. When its all said and done we pay a school tax when we buy tags for the cars ( every single year ) and we also have amount assets in the property taxes for schools here ( x amount % per paid tax ).( every single year ) PLUS you are reassess every year here so each year our taxes go up with that each year the % goes up to fund the schools. I don't know what the answers are to help the schools, but I do know if something isn't done the drop out rate will go up as parents will either home school or allow the kids to drop out because they simply can't afford to send them. One would think that of all things schools would be on the top list for MORE funding how can these kids have a shot at having jobs to support the states if the parents cant afford to send them to school. I think Obama needs to really look into funding- grants or what ever its going to take to get these schools back to being affordable for us, If they can bail out corps with BILLIONS of dollars they can find the money for the schools and stop all this over loading on teachers and parents.

That's crazy. I thought property taxes were supposed to help with that. I think all that extra stuff should be voluntary. As I've always said, let's get back to the basics!! Glad my kids are done with that. I do remember having to bring zip lock bags and stuff for my 18 yr old when he was in elem school. I need to get a copy of the school budget and go through it line by line and see if I can do a better job!!!

Well, even with the list we send out, I still come out of pocket for A LOT during the year.

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John Lennon

Here's our 3rd grade list.

1 package of wide-lined, loose-leaf paper
1 11 in. white three-ring binder
2 spiral bound, wide ruled notebooks (1 subject)
3 large box of tissues
2 packages of #2 pencils (or mechanical pencils with lead)
1 small pencil sharpener
1 solid rubber eraser
1 box of crayons
1 set of markers
1 pair of scissors
1 bottle of glue or 2 glue sticks
1 ruler (with inch & centimeter)
1 pkg. 3x5 index cards
1 package of EXPO dry erase markers
2 erasable pens (one red and one blue)
2 two pocket folders (different colors)
1 backpack

Wish List:
Boys: Quart sized plastic bags, Gallon sized plastic bags, bag of treats
Girls: Clorox wipes, high lighters, Lysol spray

No school fees...starting 5th grade they have a $5 fee for a special assignment book they handout to all the students.

Not too bad considering our property taxes are pretty low.

When I was in New Jersey all we needed was a backpack. They supplied everything else, but our taxes were very high.

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Our teachers do too. They don't ask the parents for much, but when I can get deals on stuff I try to send it in. For Christmas and Teacher Appreciation Day I usually try to give a gift cert. to the local school supply store. I figure it's probably more useful than another coffee mug.

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Groovy do you have a problem with listing what you sent out. I would like to compare your list with what I'm being asked to supply. Also do you have a school fee on top of the supply list.. I don't doubt you do spend your won personal money to buy things. However I also don't feel as if it's the parents jobs to take up the slack either ESP since we pay taxes on property and car tags. Some thing has to be done or parents are going to STOP sending in anything but pencils, paper and colors. This asking for paper towels, soap, germ X , expo markers etc is hurting folks. some families have 2 children in high schools plus middle or elementary. something has to give and a meeting point made.

Property taxes are woefully low in Alabama. Even though they've been raised over the last few years, I believe we are still well below the national average--and definitely well below the highest property taxes in other states.

Here's a blurb from the Wall Street Journal:

And then when you add the fact that revenue is down--which means less sales tax coming into the education fund--that all equals less money for schools.

Here's a recent article about the shortcomings in Baldwin County schools in Alabama:

Sales Tax Increase

So we're trying to fund a very large public school system with very little money.

I'm not defending crazy school lists or volunteering to pay more property taxes, just trying to show how not all public schools are created (or funded) equally.

In a public school? Registration fees???

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Yes, that is a great gift! I have a few parents that give me walmart gift cards for such occasions and I am very thankful.

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John Lennon

I don't have the list in front of me. The school sends it out, but it does include germ x and paper towels, and the rest is pencils, crayons, a mat for nap time, folders, etc. We need the paper towels and germ x for the kids to use, so I don't think it is wrong to list it. We do not charge a fee. We USED to ask for $5.00 per student, but most parents never sent it, so we stopped asking.

We always have to replenish a few times per year, at least glue sticks and crayons, and most parents do not send that, so I have to buy it. I always have several students that do not bring a daily snack, so I supply that. I do a lot of special activities that involve food, and I supply that(like green eggs and ham on Dr. Seuss's b-day).

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Yes, a public school. It's the best in the area, in a county with high property taxes with a chunk going to the schools. Over half of our taxes go to the school district.

Most are required fees, some are optional (ie: $30 to join PTO, yearbook, donation to each of the schools in lieu of fundraisers, etc.)

Lisa

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Why is it $30 to join PTO? Our PTA membership fees are $4-5 a person.

I still don't get it. How can a public school charge registration fees?

I work at one of the best schools in the district (and a magnet) and we can't even require the kids to bring in a pencil.

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I agree with this, in regards to the things like paper towels, TP, hand sanitizer, but, not in regards to pencils, paper (not copy paper) and things like that.

Last year the teachers used a storage drawer for each child. It had their name on it, and they would go to their drawer if they needed something. The ziplocs were used for the flash cards and things they worked on.

Like I said, I spend a LOT of time in the class room, and have a very good eye on the supplies that are in there. Personally, I am happy to send in tissues.....even with them some of the kids were wiping in sleeves, pant legs, desk.... you name it.

Hand sanitizer.... I think this is done more for convenience, personally. There is a sanitizer dispenser in every class room, by the door. WAYYY faster then having the entire class go wash their hands before lunch. Before parties, we would pass out a baby wipe to each child, after wiping their desk top with a Clorox wipe. Personally, I was very mindful to the costs associated with different things and found it easier just to bring in something for the class if we were running low. I supplied many a clip board, pencil, folder, notebook. I get things so cheaply and always have an abundance, so I just do it.

When DS was in kindergarten, the teacher "requested" glade plug ins.

OP, is this a first year teacher?

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My son starts junior high this year, and according to the website this is what he needs :

Supply Lists for the next school year

* Good quality 3-ring binder: one 3² binder or two 2² binders
* 6 tabbed subject dividers
* Zipper pouch to store supplies
* Two or more pens (black or blue)
* Pencils
* College-rule notebook paper
* 1 composition book-100 sheets
* 1 3 pronged folder with pockets (report folder)
* A calculator



Suggested Supplies

* Post-it notes
* Highlighters
* Hand-held pencil sharpener
* Colored pencils



P E Supply List:
A plain Tee Shirt, light gray or white ONLY—no pockets or pictures, etc.
Tee shirts must have short sleeves and crew necks
Write your LAST name on the FRONT of the tee shirt.
Athletic shorts that fit at the waist that are not too short, too low, too tight, or too baggy.
Athletic shoes that tie. No backless, slip on, or shoes with laces on the inside.
Deodorant: roll on or stick. (NO SPRAYS)
A couple of pairs of socks.
Sweatshirts WITHOUT POCKETS for chilly days.
Your PE clothes must follow our school’s dress code.

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I have a friend that lives in IN, and she told me there is a "supply" fee...or was it "materials" fee??? each year. She has been homeschooling for some time now, tho, so I don't know if they still have that. I would be it is something the School Board voted on. Ours just voted to raise our property taxes.....YIPPEE!! NOT!!!




OMG, tell me there are NOT kids who show up with no supplies at all....like pencils and paper???

I just donated 3 grocery bags full of extra school supplies to a local help agency.

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I never heard of a public school charging mandatory anything, but hey there's a first time for everything.

Oh yeah, we have kids that show up with nothing. No backpack, no pencils, no paper...etc. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. We normally have a supply of backpacks and stuff that have been donated for that same reason.

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regarding the school fee. I remember now form last year with my then 4th grader. he did have a work book they used for math. So y'all think all the schools may start doing that and thats why there's now a school fee ?. If so maybe that 15 and 20 dollar fee is needed. But if not, I want to know what it is used for. ESP since they are asking for copy paper, expos , soap, Germ X , paper towels. thus this stuff isn't paid for via school budget. Should it run out the teachers will buy or request from parents again.

Let's see,

943 students attend my son's school.

say 1/2 brings in 1 ream of copy paper

471 x 500 sheets =235,500 sheets of paper

235,500 / into 245 ( school days ) = 961 sheets PER day

Do you really think they use 961 sheets per day ? I don't know so I'm asking this for the ones that work at the schools.Does that sound right ?.. Plus does the school board not supply anything for the schools ?. Do all schools have a set budget given per school year and once its gone its gone ?. I'm really debating with myself whether or not I really should send in at the least 2 reams of copy paper, I know I will not send in 6 thats nuts !. I will also not send in 6 - 4pk of expos either. at most I'll send in 2 but no way to the 6.
I don't want my son to suffer over my bull headed ways, but I also don't want to do broke trying to supply whats being requested. My husband didn't know about the list till tonight , he was shocked and asked do we have the money for all that . Had to tell him well if I put it on a CC we will , hmm that didn't settle too well and he said no way to the list, send in what we can afford and DON'T use a CC for this. I'm going to have to agree with him on the no CC issue we are slowly paying them off and I hate to know this would have to be put on a CC. I also hate the fact if I give and do get this stuff paying cash we will sit here another 30 days broke as heck like we did last month. Argg this is crazy no one should have to pick and chose between school supplies and feeding their family THIS IS NUTS !

Well, 961 sheets of paper a day is only one piece of paper per child per day. I am guessing each child does at least one work sheet per day on copy paper? Then there is sending weekly notes home to parents, in our grade school it is once a week in the Monday folder, just sending home a 1 page note about school happenings would take 943 sheets of paper. I am guessing it would go fast in a school that size. I'm not saying it's right though.

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You are right penny,
the kids do a lot of work sheets I agree, we get a news letter 2 times a month (every 2 weeks). It has the lunches, events, happenings things like that. So yeah I can see the need in the paper but I think asking for 6 reams is too much tho maybe 2 reams per child. But what gets be is they are only asking the 6 reams from 3rd graders ONLY. all the other 6 grades its only 1.

I do know in the schools very little is sent to the teachers via paper they have linked computers with updates or messages that has to be sent to the teachers. Found that out when I asked about all the classrooms having a "teacher" only computer.

Guess now that this has settled in a little more I'm getitng that guilt trip about not wanting to send the stuff. I feel as if I'm "cheating" my son from his education, Thats a SUCKY feeling.

Guess I'll have to see what I can do to manage the list, I can't say I'll be able to send it all in this month but maybe a little over the next few months till I reach the requested amount. Wonder if they will accept that ?.

they won't really have a choice, will they??? If you can't afford to send it, I'm sure you're not the only one. Send what you can, and check it off the list as you go. I would definitely voice my concerns about it. Have you tried stopping in at the office to see if there is someone there you can talk to about it??

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We go for meet the teacher night on Aug 3rd. This teacher is new and I'm guessing her 1st year at the school. My son is special needs ( why his class is so small ). So I'm going to talk to her and the whom ever else about the extra long request list, explain I can't do it all at once, ( I can't ) But I'll try my best to send all in over the next few months till its reached. I hate hate hate the fact I could have gotten a lot more had I known what he needed when the sales were going on. I took a sneak peek at staples and they are doing the .01 on notebook paper and thats about all I saw. Unless office depot does their penny sale it will be full price for all this. I'm going to hit the net tonight and see if I can buy in bulk the copy paper and what I can do about the expos. these 2 alone is nearly 50.00. So off to Sam's to view their website.

Thanks everyone, I was just shocked and taken back by all this. I knew we didn't have the money and I guess I reacted to that more than anything. It's a terrible feeling to know you just simply can't afford everything being requested from your child( ren) school(s).

My school/district doesn't send home school supply lists. I can't require parents to bring anything. All of my supplies are purchased by me. I do get a small classroom budget from our school but that has to be spent on curriculum supplies (newsprint paper, writing journals, and 2 boxes of dry erase markers). Parents seldom bring in supplies. I teach in very low socioeconomic area. We aren't allowed to have hand santizer for the students because it is considered to be a chemical.

You could always check your state's Ed. Code about supplies.

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The parents should never have to supply things for the teacher. Paper towels, dry erase/chalk or copy paper is the responsibility of the schools. I thought Teachers get discounts at Staples and other stores.. I know our BigLots has a discount program. As for hand sanitizer, didnt a child become very ill or die from that?? I believe it is banned from some schools...

You can always send the supplies in throughout the school year.. I have no qualms about sending in a box of tissues as I know that is something my child will probably use. That can be sent with the child every three months or so. Last year a parent came in on orientation night with a huge bag of the supplies. She dragged that bag all over. I thought to myself why bring it in tonight?? Spread it over the year...

Every parent that I know could not possibly afford the stuff on your list! Six of everything is just crazy! Speaking of taxes.. I looked at my statement, $914.74 was distributed to the school for this year. Our school district must be doing something right as they dont ask for too much on the list and the workbook fees are $25 for each grade. I agree with someone who posted that our schools need a bailout and they also need someone to review their spending..checks and balances comes to mind here....

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Some of the teachers have individual dry erase boards for the student to do some work on. They write spelling words, work math problems etc. If this is the case at your school then the dry erase markers are for the students to use and not the teacher. Some schools have breakfast in the classroom and the paper towels are for cleaning up the desks after the students eat. As for as teachers buying the supplies, yes they get a discount at some stores but it comes out of their own pocket not the schools.