shared classroom supplies

[peggyfromwastate]

It kind of drives me nuts, especially since I have to provide double the supplies for the twins. I don't even want to add up how much it costs to supply this stuff, and I know that in my school less than 1/3 of us even do bring in anything. I'm always "replenishing" the supplies throughout the year, too, b/c the teachers send home notes asking for more and I don't think the teachers should have to pay for this stuff...

Our list: 3 rolls of paper towels, 2 boxes of kleenex, 1 large soap/hand sanitizer, at least 4 dry erase markers, 6 glue sticks, 1 box sharpened pencils, disinfectant wipes...

All that times 2. Then there are of course the "individual supplies" times two...

And then once they start school it'll be "each parent send in 2 large boxes of crackers for snack time" etc., etc.... Not to mention how astronomical field trips are, since only a small portion of parents pay actually...

Ahhhh, good thing I'm a doctor's wife and we are rolling in dough. Back to school time is expensive!

How much are you all asked to bring "to share"? Make me feel like the greedy miser I am!!!

[mommax3]

Re: shared classroom supplies

Last year in Kindergarten, I think almost all of the supplies were shared, and she just told us flat out that everything would go into a cabinet and she would replenish from that as needed. I am sure there was some non-compliance by some parents, but probably not as much as you are talking about.

If I were you, I would probably set a mental threshold about how much you would contribute, like deciding to send in more supplies (x2 if you want) once during the year and that's it. Whether or not the teacher decides to spend his/her own money is up to them.....you don't need to feel responsible for their decision. When I first taught and was the primary breadwinner, I *never* spent my own money on school stuff. We couldn't afford it at all. Now I spend our money on stuff that makes my time at school less stressful, because I can afford it and it is worth it to me to make it easier for myself at work.

If you feel like you are subsidizing the cost of field trips due to other parents not paying for their own kids, I would ask the teacher how much the field trip *actually* costs. I don't think at my school we can run a Robin Hood deal like that without disclosing it to parents, and the school actually has a fund for kids who can't afford the full amount, or any amount.

Sally

[DCJenn]

Re: shared classroom supplies

Dude's school is a co-op so everyone has to pitch in (and they keep track). You will see odd things on the list- we have a cat (Vladimir Catovich) that stays outside but he's adopted the school. The Sunday paper had a paper bag from Office Max that was one of those everything that fits in the bag is 15% off so I went on Tuesday after work and got most of the supplies. I don't mind buying the stuff, really. But, I have one kid. I'd probably mind a lot more if I were buying $55 worth of supplies times X.

Here's our list:

COMMUNAL SUPPLIES (for all children): Supplies do not have to be new, but must be in very good condition. If quantity is not specified, any amount is acceptable. These items will become shared community property, please do not personalize. Supplies may be delivered to the school Monday – Friday from 8:00 – 4:00.

2 boxes 8 or 10 count large markers
Box of crayon
plastic pencil school box
2 reams of paper (colored, any size/type)
4 composition books (non-spiral, usually marbled design)
2 child scissors (round tip)
4 glue sticks
3 glue bottles
insect repellant (your choice, preferably w/sunscreen)
2 wicker baskets, various sizes
2 boxes tissues
poster board

Last Name A-L
box gallon sized re-sealable bags
kitchen towels
3 folders with pockets and brads
permanent markers

Last Name M-Z
box quart sized re-sealable bags
cleaning sponges
plastic food storage container
dry erase markers



REQUIRED PERSONAL LABELED ITEMS

lunch container
complete change of clothing (FOR ALL AGES - to be stored at the school at all times) – please select clothing that will fit in a gallon size Ziploc bag

Sun Room (Ms. Barbie)
1 thick vinyl mat
1 crib sheet
1 small blanket
1 small pillow
1 small stuffed sleep toy (optional)

OPTIONAL ITEMS
library appropriate book(s)
miscellaneous quality art supplies
office supplies
rugs

ITEMS PURCHASED OFTEN & AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP
copy paper
toilet paper
paper towels
hand soap
cat food
toner
Shaklee cleaning supplies
snack items: fruit, grains, juices and milk/soy
pea gravel ?
AA batteries

There you have it!

Jenn

[v-girl]

Re: shared classroom supplies

I love how our school does it. It is a Catholic school so they can get away with it since parents have to pay tuition for their children to attend. The teachers for each grade estimate how much they will need for school supplies and field trips for each student. That amount is due with your registration fee each year. Yes, there are a few extras that need to be replaced through the year -- pencil boxes get beat up, sketch pads for art class run out every 3-4 months, pencils disappear, as do crayons.

I do prefer this way over how we did it our first year or two at the school.

[DCJenn]

Re: shared classroom supplies

We also have to pay a $150 materials fee which goes for the big stuff like art supplies and building materials.

and we have a snack fee but that's a total bargain as it ends up being about 50 cents per snack per day per child.

Jenn

[diggitydot]

Re: shared classroom supplies

Our last school did the communal supplies thing, but I'm not completely sure how our new one handles it. I'm already not thrilled, though. We originally got the district supply list per each grade and filled it. Then I received a significantly different list in the mail from each of the kids' schools. (2 of our kids are in the same elementary, 1 is in a middle school.)

Now I'm just waiting until the open houses to see if we get yet another different list from their teachers. Ugh. I really don't mind buying the school supplies. I just wish I could get a real list before school starts. Heck, even if they just post it on their school websites, that would be great. This district doesn't seem to utilize their school websites much, which kind of bugs me.

Oh, and I just found out that we have a "text book fee". Yep, we have to pay to simply use the text books. And these aren't the tear-out workbook kind. It'll end up being almost $500 for our three kids.

[houseelf]

Re: shared classroom supplies

We simply pay a $50 supply fee and everything appears in DS's cubby on day one. I have never written a check so fast. I would spend a gazillion more dollars just by trying to shop with two kids in tow. Even though I'm sure that some clever mom could whack this price down to $35 or $40 with clever couponing and careful shopping, I just don't even have the energy.

Kelly

[Phoebe]

Re: shared classroom supplies

Text books-$103
Supplies-$38
plus ziplocs, hand sanitizers, kleenex, paper towels, etc
PTO-$20
school lunches-$2.15 per day

1st grade-priceless!

[MDPhDWife]

Re: shared classroom supplies

All our supplies are communal as well which doesn't really bother me. What I thought was strange on this years supply list was 1 black or dark colored sock.

I checked the sock bag I have near the dryer for strays and didn't have any black ones, so I figured someone else would buy a pair and hand in both. I feel guilty, isn't that silly? I can't imagine what the heck they'll use them for and why only one? :huh:

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: shared classroom supplies

Phoebe, Your school lunches are cheap!!!!

I'm pretty much done with back to school shopping!!! Finally! I wanted to get it all together b/c I know DH won't be able to (shopping the weekend before back to school is really really bad around here, as in people are fighting over the last box of dry erase markers...). Hopefully I'll make it to the first day of school dropoff- baby should be about 5 days old, if all goes as planned...

Anyway, we don't have a textbook fee but we have the various fees for middle school especially, and then the "scholastic news" fee for the elem kids, and then all the field trips, etc. Field trips for the twins cost around $35-50 a pop (but they only do 1-2 a year), and last year we spent about $400 on field trips for Kate. They, of course, *charter* buses b/c these kids are just that special. Next year we start paying for her 8th grade field trip to New York City-- something like $1K. So yeah, school supplies are annoying, but field trips to me have been the major budget buster...

[Phoebe]

Re: shared classroom supplies

Phoebe, Your school lunches are cheap!!!!

Really? They just raised the prices .30 cents and most of us think that was steep. I am not allowing my daughter to eat them daily because of the price. Luckily she is a very picky eater and will only choose 2 times/week. We have a rotating three week block of lunches.

[Sheherezade]

Re: shared classroom supplies

We've done the communal supplies in the younger grades here, the teacher purchased supplies in Brookline, MA and the individual supplies in the older grades here. I personally liked the teacher purchased supplies. SOOOOOO easy. Of course, my kids like to pick out there own notebooks, so that's a thrill. Just to put things in perspective, a friend of mine who has a daughter in college now told me that complaining about the small fees and checks the school demands are now laughable to her. College costs......yikes.

[Vanquisher]

Re: shared classroom supplies

My mom is a teacher in Utah, and there, they are not allowed to send home lists of things for the students and families to purchase. It is the idea that public education is supposed to be free.

They do have fees, but they are quite low, almost nothing in elementary school.

We are in public school, so keep that in mind, but this was our list this year:
2 Mead Composition Notebooks
(black/white marble)
4 five-subject notebooks with pocket
dividers (wide-ruled)
2” binder
1 plastic three-prong folder with pockets
for Spanish class
2 packs of loose wide-ruled notebook paper
2 packs of 24 pencils
2 dry-erase markers
1 hand-held pencil sharpener with cover
Standard Clipboard
1 pack of colored pencils
2 boxes of Kleenex tissue
1 hand sanitizer with pump dispenser
1 box of Ziploc bags/ Girls: Quart; Boys:
Gallon
1 large glue stick
1 USB flash drive – 34 MB or higher
Uniforms: 5 navy blue or khaki bottoms
5 Collared white or navy tops

We do have to replace some supplies throughout the year, but not a ton. Also we definitely have field trip fees.


I am very, very suprised that any of you feel that you can provide school lunch for cheaper than public school costs. It's just not possible, especially if they are getting the variety. Our school lunch is 1.75, and I pay it gladly. There is no way I can beat that price. Furthermore, I don't have to worry about packing a lunch everyday, and I know he is getting a variety that I just could not provide. A price comparison:

Turkey Sandwich

2 slices of Whole Wheat bread (at $2.50 per loaf)= $ 0.16

3 oz. Sliced Turkey Breast (at $5.99 per pound)=$1.11

1 oz. American Cheese (at $3.99 per pound)= $0.25


Crunchy Snack

1 oz. Chex Mix (at $2.49 per 8 oz bag)=$0.31


Veggie Pack

¼ cup celery sticks (at $0.99 per pound)= $0.06

¼ baby carrots (at $2.99 per pound)=$0.19


Fruit

Individual Berry-flavored applesauce cup (at $2.99 per six-pack)= $0.50


Milk (at school) = $0.40


GRAND TOTAL = $2.98


Maybe some of those estimates are off, but I would be hard pressed to make lunch everyday for my son for even that cost. As it is, he gets a lot more variety than turkey or peanut butter. I don't know, honestly, if you really do the math how you could save money bringing a lunch from home.

[rainbabies]

Re: shared classroom supplies

i'm completely annoyed that i have gotten NOTHING from ds's school to be. i called the school district or school board..i got transfered so many times, i have no idea. i asked if there was a packet, open house, orrientation, meet and greet....supply list?? anything??? :huh:

the response:

"you should get something in the mail by the 19th."

um, really? nothing like waiting until the week before school starts. especially because ds and I are new to this whole game.

*sigh*

[diggitydot]

Re: shared classroom supplies

I am very, very suprised that any of you feel that you can provide school lunch for cheaper than public school costs. It's just not possible, especially if they are getting the variety. Our school lunch is 1.75, and I pay it gladly. There is no way I can beat that price. Furthermore, I don't have to worry about packing a lunch everyday, and I know he is getting a variety that I just could not provide.

I tend to agree. Our kids' lunches are $2.50 for our middle school aged one and $2.15 for the two in elementary, but I really don't have a problem paying it. That is, if I could get my kids to even go near the hot lunches. With two of my three being freakishly picky eaters, it's just easier for them to take their own than hope/pray that the school has something decent sans grease. Blech.

2 slices of Whole Wheat bread (at $2.50 per loaf)= $ 0.16
3 oz. Sliced Turkey Breast (at $5.99 per pound)=$1.11
1 oz. American Cheese (at $3.99 per pound)= $0.25

:run:
OK, I'll slink off now and pretend that I didn't just send my two youngest to school with PBJ's. (Well, at least DD2. DS will only eat PB sandwiches, no J.)

And today was the kids' first day back to school.