My daughter is about to start the first grade and when my Mother-in-Law saw the school supply list she was in disbelief. She’s never seen a list this long! So I wanted to know if this is the norm or the extreme….
Student Supplies:
(3) 24 count boxes of Crayola Crayons
(2) packages of #2 Roseart 12 count pencils already sharpened
(2) large pink erasers
(1) pair of Fiskar pointed scissors
(1) bottle of white school glue
(2) large glue sticks
(1) small snap shut school box
(1) pack of Crayola washable markers
(1) package of wide ruled notebook paper
(1) package of white copy paper
(1) package of colored copy paper
(1) large package of Expo markers
(1) bottle of Expo board cleaner
(1) backpack
(2) plastic no prong folders
Classroom Supplies
(1) box of Kleenex
(1) bottle of Antibacterial soap or refills
(1) bottle of Germ X
(3) boxes of baby wipes
(3) double rolls of paper towels
(3) packages of Clorox Wipes
(1) package of gallon sized Ziploc Bags
(2) boxes of kitchen drawstring garbage bags
Additional supplies requested by the teacher (there are 10 teachers with different requests and no idea yet who she will have. I will give an example of the longest request):
(1) money bag
(1) pack of fine point Expo dry erase markers
(1) heavy duty 1″ white clear front binder
(2) 1 subject spiral notebooks (green and black)
(1) clear pencil pouch with 3 holes
(2) plastic folders with prints (red and blue)
The school is also requesting an additional $20 donation!
So is this the norm or the extreme? What is your child’s school supply list like?
I can beat it our list is the same as yours for our kid but double when I say double I mean double everything we thought it was crazy to seeing that he’ll they just got grant money that should cover all of that and then some for their schools bad enough that came out of our tax dollars just to go over and pay for it again it’s crazy obviously these schools took that money from those grants and put into their Sports programs and God knows what else instead of where the money should have really went I can understand the basic supplies but anything to do with cleaning and Lysol wipes even Band-Aids should have been provided by the school through the money they got from the grants even the proper equipment to test kids for their temperatures on the way through the door
WOWW I’m going to college grade and u only need 24 items!!!!! I’m surprised how you need that many for first grade, in my school for that grade u need
papers
pencils
crayons
colored pencils
and pens
LOL its crazy!!!!! wow that must be a strict school also u NEED to donate 20? You already have payed a lot!!!
Yep, this looks standard for our school, plus we have a $45 resource fee PER STUDENT (so if you have 2, its $90)…well the headphones aren’t, but that looks like a “wish list” item. The dry-erase board cleaner is odd too, because realistically window cleaner works just fine without the huge cost.
I was upset at my child’s school list and I had to check and see if I was the only one. Guess what I am not! but could someone please tell me why my second grader need 10 dozen pencils, 5 boxes of color crayons, 3 packs of AA Batteries, 5 boxes of tissue, 2 boxes of ziplock bags, 15 glue sticks, 2 dry erasers, 3 boxes of antibacterial wipes and 3 sets of scissors, 3 boxes of 30 gal garbage bags, three bottles of germex, 2 packages of printer paper, and highlighters? These are just some of the ridiculous items on my second graders supply list! These items are in an addition to the regular items that I feel it’s my responsibility to pay for as a parent. It feels good that I am not the only one. I have two kids that I have to buy supplies for and most of them are for the school and other kids. I don’t mind buying stuff for my child thats my responsibility. I will even be happy to buy a little extra as long as it’s not unreasonable. I pay 4500 in property tax and the school gets most of that. I feel I the school should buy supplies with my TAXES!!!
UHHHHHH!
VERY SIMILAR TO MINE YET VERY RIDICULOUS TO ASK ALL OF THIS!
Yes, the list is long, but as a teacher we often have to buy the supplies out of our own paycheck. Parents forget that because of so many budget cuts we have to supplement in order to make our lessons worth while. I often get parents telling me that they already bought their kids crayons at the beginning of the year and if they need more than that then I as their teacher can buy them. Don’t parents understand that everything that is on my classroom walls, doors, counters, desk are bought out of my own paycheck, so that their child can have the best experience? I am sure is so frustrating on both ends. :)
I get it, I totally do. I would buy more of whatever my child needed throughout the year, as they need it, but I would not buy the ridiculous amounts of each supply item on the list like a lot of teachers are requesting. My kid is my responsibility, and I’d even help with extras when possible but it is not my job to buy enough supplies to stock the entire class. I don’t complain about reasonable lists, but yes I would complain about asking for an abundance of supplies and I do think it is wrong for teachers to require any certain brand. Some families just cannot afford specific brands and that is not fair to make them feel bad about it.
I I completely understand what you’re saying but if you want to decorate your classroom that is by choice but we have to pay for just for them to come to school and be prepared let alone school clothes supplies shoes which is basically responsibilities of a parent but if you compare what you spend to what a parent spends and if you take 20 kids and put all their supplies together what’s one classroom need that much supplies for do the math it’s crazy just think all these parents let’s say one classroom 20 kids why does a teacher need that much supplies from every single one of those kids you wood need your own supply room for your own classroom just a store that much
Wish I had seen your article in NYT I will read it when im done posting this. Wow! she had quite a list. My 6yo dd’s 1st grade list is 24 pk crayons, 2 packs of pencils and 2 yellow highlighters. I cant believe your daughters teacher needs all that stuff, holy cow! Good job on how you obtained your stuff at such low cost. Love your blog!
HOLY COW!! some of these lists are ridiculous! ours for K5 was 1 box baby wipes, 1 bottle hand sanitizer, 2 bottles foaming anti bacterial soap, 1 box kleenex, 1 old shirt for art class, nap mat/beach towel & UMS supply store duffle bag (no backpacks.) BUT and this is a big BUT, we pay a “supply fee” at the end of the first quarter that is quite large and covers all classroom supplies, learning materials, art supplies, computer & foreign language manuals, and field trip expenses like t-shirts and admission to museums, etc. plus we get the added bonus of paying tuition on top of school taxes. still, some of y’all are getting hammered!! especially if you have more than one kid in school, yikes!
I think the schools should be buying all of the shared classroom supplies. Readers here report that they are getting good deals by shopping sales and using coupons, but those savings are nothing compared to the bulk buying power of a whole school district, or even an individual preschool. The current practice is not only an inefficient use of parents’ time, but also an incredibly wasteful way to purchase institutional supplies.
Our school is requiring a lot also. Not to mention this year I have one child in 2nd and one child in Kindergarten. I thought last year was bad. This year my 2nd grader has to have:
construction paper 9″x12″ … 2
construction paper 12″x18″…2
manila paper 9″x12″ … 3
manila paper 12″x18″ … 2
copy paper ream … 1 (500 ct)
notebook paper … 1 (200 ct)
Crayons (24 ct) … 3
glue … 4
pencils … 36
pens (red) … 2
scissors … 2
facial tissue large box… 2
pencil box … 1
pocket folders (plastic, w/brads) … 6
markers … 2 (washable, 8 or 10 ct)
highlighter … 1
ruler … 1
zip loc bags (quart)… 1 box
erasers … 5
baby wipes … 1 box
spiral notebook (120 pg) … 2 (specific colors)
dry erase markers …
file folders … 50
The kindergarten list is pretty much the same minus the folders but add Playdoh, watercolors, white lunch bags, paper towels, and paper plates…oh, and a package of card stock.
Basically, I’m getting most of the stuff that I know the need. The folders (12 in total) , notebooks, etc. But I’m not sending file folders (why do they need all 2nd graders to send 50 folders….if they all brought them that would be about 7500 file folders) or 100 paper plates per kindergartener (that’s about 15,000) plates! I’m not sending card stock either. And some of the things on the list they are only going to get some of. Like glue…between both my kids they need 12 glues! Nope, I’m sending 3 each…my kids won’t use more than that. They also aren’t gonna go through 36 pencils…so I’m sending a few and keeping the rest at home to send as he needs more.
All the stuff they get goes into boxes anyway. At least at our school that’s how it works. You drop all the stuff into the specific box then the box goes into a storage room for when the teachers need it. When I was in school, we had our own tote trays (or cubbie holes) that held all our stuff for the year. If we were low, we told our parents we were almost out of glue or whatever and they send more. So I’ll send what I can and if they start to run low in the middle of the school year, send me a note telling me what they are low on and I’ll send some more, but until then, they will have to make due.
Believe it or not that is actually a basic school supply list. The problem is that with all the cut backs going on with schools and teachers they are leaning more towards the parents to provide all the classroom needs. Although the government hasnt yet to think about all the parents that are out of work, while our childrens educations are suffering, our federal & state inmates in prison are given about $35,000 a year to keep them healthy & well taken care of!
Thats Crazy my daughter is going into 7th grade. She also has a $50 laptop fee, $20 gym uniform, 2 locks for $10, and $25 insurance for the laptop.
Flair Felt Tip Pens
Tape
Expo Markers
White Out
Hand Held Pencil Sharpener
12 Dividers Tabs
3” Binder
Red Pens
Blue or Black Pens
Colored Pencils
Scissors
WHITE 2-Pocket With 3 Metal Clips For Binding For PE
Folders
Highlighters
Loose-Leaf Paper (Wide Ruled)
Reinforcers
#2 Pencils
3×5 Index Cards With Lines
Glue Sticks
8 ½ x 11” Mead Spiral Notebook
1 Bottle of Hand Sanitizer (H Block)
2 Large Boxes of Tissues (H Block)
I teach preschool as well. I understand all too well how much teachers spend of their own money. The school I work at does require parents to pay a supply fee. I do ask parents to donate items from time to time, but it is not required. I create a wish list for my class during the holidays. If I don’t get something, I contact businesses to see if they will donate items. There are lots of companies that will donate old notebooks and supplies. Printing companies have been very nice to donate scrap paper. You just have to be willing to get out there and look for it. It is appalling that you have to supply trash bags and paper products. That is something basic that goes for the upkeep of the school. That falls on the school and the school district.
I also do not like the idea of “community” supplies. What I purchase for my child, belongs to my child. I know that the economy is bad, but I am sorry, I work hard just like other parents. My salary is small too! I am not supplying stuff for other kids. It is the parent’s responsibility to supply what is needed for their child’s education. More parents need to step up and take care of their children’s needs and stop expecting free handouts.
After reading all of these post I’m just shocked. Some people are so mean when it comes to the less fortunate. I have one child going into 5th and one into 7th plus a 2 yr old in daycare that needs supplies. my future 7th grader has 93 dollars in fees, 5th grader 50 dollars in fees and 2 yr old 35 dollar fee. They also have ridiculously long supply lists including cleaning products. I refuse to buy anything other than the supplies needed for my childrens education. Cleaning supplies and copy paper is the schools responsibility unless your gonna be teaching my kids to be janitors. I understand that teachers spend a lot of money on supplies for their classrooms because my husband is a teacher. My suggestion is for teachers to stand up and fight for what the school districts are responsible for paying!!! I pay my taxes every year and when that bill comes it shows the school tax of around 800 dollars. with every homeowner paying around the same I can’t see why they would want to put more cost on parents and their teachers. not to mention that they have movie day that us two dollars a week and the movies are brought by kids. Where does that money go? every week my kids need money for something. I was forced to buy 100 dollars in raffle tickets for my child in band because if she didn’t sell at least ten she wouldn’t be allowed to go on the field trip that cost me 300.00 dollars that is not taking place until 2011,go figure! Anyway I’m done venting now and I hope everyones babies have a great school year!! Buy the basics and let the school district handle the rest like they are supposed to!!!
If the $800 you are talking about is for Mellaroos, parks & schools…that money doesn’t go to the schools nor to maintain the parks, that money goes to pay back the money that was used to BUILD the schools and DEVELOP the parks. Yes, we pay a lot of taxes that are supposed to go to the schools, but unfortunately that isn’t the case for a lot of schools. Our taxes also pay for LOTS of other things as well. The schools get funding from the State who allocates our tax dollars, not directly from the tax dollars we pay.
When there isn’t enough funding to pay teachers, where is this money supposed to come from to provide supplies for your child and other students in the class (which has increased due to teachers being let go). Lots of teachers are taking pay cuts as well to keep jobs. If the school was required to provide supplies, and it came down to the school providing supplies or more teachers being let go making your child’s even class larger, which would you choose??? It is up to us parents to make up the difference. After all, it is OUR CHILDREN, and it is OUR JOB as parents to provide for them. And we are awesome couponers, aren’t we??? Donate some of that stock pile of cleaning supplies that you got for FREE & go get those cheap cheap school supplies that are ALL ON SALE NOW. Provide what you can & if you can provide beyond that because you ARE awesome couponers, then even better.
The reality of it is that it is the teacher that will have to make up the difference for what you don’t send in (& that is pretty messed up if you CAN afford it & choose not to) and that goes for the potential 30 students in their classroom AS WELL AS THE TEACHERS OWN CHILDREN that come home with supply lists like yours. Maybe all of you that have a problem with this should trade places with the teacher for a year…and let ALL these supplies come out of YOUR OWN POCKET on a teachers salary (they don’t make that much, especially considering the hours they spend outside the classroom). And there are teachers out there supporting kids in single income homes or in single parent homes as well. I think maybe we would ALL look at this a little differently then…
Our list for 5th grade — and while I understand some teachers are having a hard time buying supplies, many parents just can’t afford the cost for all of this plus those $%#@ uniforms (two wardrobes for each child is NOT cheap, and I could get nice jeans and tops for far less than the poorly-made uniforms that are only worn during school hours.) Yes, there is some financial help, but the limits are so low that those of us who are in the middle income-wise (and live cautiously as my husband is unemployed.) don’t qualify.
Last year, I spent over $150 on school supplies per child, and over the course of the year, another $200/per kid on uniforms (kids grow, things get stained, torn, etc) and that was shopping sales!
“• 3 boxes of 12 #2 Ticonderoga pencils
• 2 – 150 count pack of notebook paper – wide ruled
• 4 – 100 sheet composition books
• 3 one – subject spiral notebooks – wide ruled
• 2 packages of 5-10 sheet protectors
• Trapper Keeper or Binder with inside pockets – 2” rings
• 2 large boxes of tissues
• 2 wide yellow highlighters
• USB flash drive – 256 MB or greater (if your child has one from
the last school year they may use it again)
• 1 – 2 reams of 20 lb. copy paper
• 1 large bottle hand sanitizer
• 1 package graph paper – 4/4 or 4/5 inch size
The teachers will issue additional supply lists the first day of school.”
Oops! Hit send too soon! Some of the additional items required last year included 4 large project boards (the tri-fold kind), special required t-shirts for field trips, a set of Sharpies, several more binders, watercolors and brushes, another half dozen packages of notebook paper, a half dozen books we were required to go and buy (at BN, etc,) — and then there were the field trip fees. I didn’t want my kids left out, but some of the field trips were $30-40 each. Plus spending money. I did say no to the end of the year trip…a 4 day visit to Pennsylvania at a cost of almost $1,500! And this is PUBLIC SCHOOL!
I think that many of these lists are reasonable. I taught high school science just outside of Minneapolis and we were not allowed to request supplies or to charge a fee. We had a set amount that we could use to order basic supplies for us in the summer before school started. Which meant that I literally spent over $2000 of my own money buying supplies (pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, kleenex, lab supplies) for my 160+ students in a school that was over 50% free and reduced lunch (meaning very poor families).
I have been able to purchase all of my children’s school supplies school supplies buy hitting the sales and almost never spend more than $30 and that includes lunch boxes and backpacks and their comparable lengthy lists.
If you can afford to buy these things please consider yourself lucky and ask the teacher (even middle and high school teachers) if there is anything that you could purchase for them. Any help at all will be greatly appreciated.
Margaret,
I agree 100%. I think it is very noble and appreciative of a parent or parents to ask if they can purchase anything for your students or classroom. Every little bit helps!
I am a teacher and your daughters list is pretty typical in my opinion. Part of the reason for an increase in the number of items a teacher requests is due to the economic times and reduced funding to schools. I understand that parents often feel that the list is a lot, but please remember the additional supplies that the school and especially teachers purchase for their students. I only received a $200-300 yearly account to spend for all supplies for my students (my own supplies/teacher resources and the resources for 25 students). Once that is gone everything else comes out of my own pocket. As a savy shopper I always hit up the back to school sales, but many teaching items (workbooks, manipulatives, etc.) are costly even when on sale. Each school year I spent $2000 out of my own pocket to purchase items for my classroom. This includes my supplies and books and materials for the kids to use. Items to decorate the classroom. Prizes to rewards the students and gifts to give away to students for holidays. Craft items for kids to make each holiday and other additional expenses. Yes, teachers do get to write off a few hundred dollars on their taxes, but it doesn’t even come close to what we spend out of pocket. Also, working in a city school I often have kids whose parents cannot afford supplies, field trips, snack, etc and I also provide these items out of my own money. So please remember this when looking at your childs back to school list. Over the course of the year take note of the different things your child brings home and then remember that there are approximately 25 other students with those same items. Ask your childs teacher what their yearly budget is and I think you would be quite surprised to realize how much money the teacher spends. Unfortunately schools provide teachers with very little. Over the years teachers accummulate more resources, but there is always the need for more to help children learn.
Agreed-100%!
First and for most, I am shocked at how many parents complain about their child’s school supply list. I teach elementary school, and I provide a large amount of supplies for my students. I also supply all classroom decorations for holidays/themes, any items for goodie bags/birthday bags, any items needed for arts and crafts in the classroom, any items need for field trips(sometimes even a sack lunch), any items needed for holiday crafts and celebrations(parents do provide some food), any items needed during testing week(other than state provided items), any first aid items, any snack items(when a child doesn’t bring snack in), and any other items my class might need while going through the school year. At times, I will ask parents to donate if they feel lead, but you typically only get one or two that will donate. On top of all the supplies I purchase during the school year, I also purchase books to go in my classroom library and center activities/manipulatives that go along with the curriculum I teach. Yes I choose to buy these items, but if I did not, my students would not have a selection of learning tools to choose from. I do not mind buying any supplies, decorations, learning tools, books, etc., if that means my students are getting the best education. I also do not mind stocking up on school supplies when they are at their cheapest, as some students do not bring in ANY supplies and for new students that come in during the school year. However, I am appauled that some parents think that teachers ask for too much, or that the teachers need to purchase more on their own. I feel that this is very unfair to the teacher, considering how much we DO spend on our students. If parents plan their school shopping according to when stores have their sales and tax free weeks, you can purchase most supplies on a supply list for less than $30. I do not think this amount is to large, considering your child’s teacher will spend about triple that on your child in one school year. So, with that being said, happy school shopping to all!
Agreed 100%!!!
I agree as well.
I understand that you’re “appalled” that us parents would complain but some of these items they are asking for is a little ridiculous. Why would 30+ students all need to bring zip lock bags? Just doesn’t make any sense.
I wanted to take a moment to thank every single reader who commented on this post. It has been incredibly enlightening. As a first time mom to a child in the public education system, it can be a bit overwhelming when you receive this long school supply list and you aren’t sure what to think of it. I remember being in school and our supply list for K-12th grade fit on the front and back of one sheet of paper. So to get a list this long, well I didn’t know what to think. I decided to turn to the readers for their opinions. And I truly thank each and every one of yours for your opinion. I feel incredibly enlightened.
From what I understand of our school system…. we are not receiving any state funding. That is why the list is so long. Our school is very good about not nickle and dimeing the parents to death. Last year, Emily’s only fundraiser was a sponsored run in the fall. I was also not hounded throughout the year to provide more money or items (well I did replenish a few things here or there that were definitely understandable.) So I do have tremendous respect for the school and it’s administration.
I have learned a lot about our government and state and how they treat our children’s classrooms and it is very disheartening to hear of all the budget cuts that directly affect my child’s education. Like all parents, we want our children to have the best and learn as much as possible so they can excel in this life.
However, it’s come to my attention that because of lack of funding across the board, this burden is falling more and more on our teachers. Do we require cashiers at Walmart to pay for the plastic bags they use to bag our groceries? Or the mailman to pay for the gas to deliver our mail? Why should we require our teachers to do the same? After all they have families and bills of their own. It has definitely given me a better understanding of the dedication and perseverance of our teachers here in America. God bless them for educating our children.
I am happy to do whatever I can to lessen the burden on their pocketbooks. I certainly like the recommendations that were made to find out what the school needs and buy it cheaply with coupons. I would love to do more for the school and to do it as cheaply as possible. Well that would rock!
I am working on getting all the items on the list as cheap as possible. (I’ve gotten about half the items for $30 so far (including the backpack and lunchbox). Fingers crossed for great sales to finish the list!
And again I truly, truly appreciate every single viewpoint that has been expressed so far. I love that we can discuss things among one another and learn more along the way. You guys are awesome!
As a teacher, and mom to twins, I agree that the list looks to be quite overwhelming. I am wondering if some of the supplies may be for other classrooms your child may go to, like the art room or the music room? If so, they should disclose that to help the parents understand where the supplies will be used. I’m surprised by pointed scissors for a first grader, but that also could be a typo. I’d buy the headphones! That is nice that they give you an option to purchase your child’s own headphones. One word…Lice! I don’t recommend using off brand glue sticks, pencils, colored pencils or markers. They really don’t hold up and the parents are just wasting their money. The pencils they sell now are not made like when we were kids. It is hard to explain, but even I can’t get some of them to sharpen or to not keep the lead from falling out. If your child has a long list, I really recommend speaking to the teacher and checking if honestly all the items are needed by the first day of school. As a teacher, I hate asking the parents to purchase the long list of supplies, but in my school I only get $150 for everything I need for my classroom for the whole year. I have to use that for name tags, construction paper, star board posters plus our biography unit posters for the students. After purchasing those items, I have spent my whole $150. Construction paper for 27 kids isn’t cheap! The rest I pay for out of pocket, like all of my office supplies, consumable science materials, poster board, bulletin board supplies, etc. We never give supplies purchased by parents for their child to other children who cannot afford them. We ask parents to drop off extra supplies to our front office where they will create book bags for those in need. Sometimes, I’m the one that buys the supplies for the child, out of my own pocket. I just hope that parents don’t think that we, as teachers, are being supply hogs. Every item should be on there for a reason and should be connected directly to your child’s education and instruction.
Off brand supplies can be junk, so if your school lists a name brand go with it – just watch for a sale!
Our list is quite a bit shorter but that doesn’t prevent people from complaining about it LOUDLY everywhere they go. These are the same people who don’t think twice about dropping $50 for soccer cleats/shin guards/jersey/ball or dance leotards/shoes/costumes in addition to the monthly fees just to be involved in such extra-curriculars. Yes – public school education is FREE (paid for by taxes), and that is a blessing – but I’m not sure why people seem to expect there to be no personal costs associated with it or why the teachers should be expected to have to pay so much out of their pockets??? I say you value what you pay for. Maybe if we paid more for public education some parents would do more to make sure there kids get their moneys worth.
Lets pretend you are in a grocery line and have a young man/woman in front of you with a child on her hip, and he/she does not have enough money to pay for the milk that they obviously need for the child. Would you pay for the milk?
What if you have a new uniform policy at work, and all of your employees had to buy their own uniforms. Let’s say you have a fantastic employee that cannot pay for his/her uniform. Would you help, or would you fire them?
The milk is school supplies for our youth, the uniform is school supplies for our teachers.
PAY IT FORWARD
Use this site/blog to your advantage, save money where you can, stockpile where you can, GIVE what you can.
You know, reading over all the comments here, I don’t think any of us really object to providing reasonable supplies for our kids. The economy is affecting everyone, including school budgets, and everyone has to chip in a bit and help out. I know plenty of teachers buy stuff for their students out of their own pockets, which I do not think is right. So I don’t mind providing my kids with basic school supplies.
The problem is when the requests get excessive. Three boxes of crayons or markers or colored pencils, name-brand items when generic would do just as well and cost less, and of course all those items that never seem to get used by your kid. Last year my son had to have four composition books (he only used two and I don’t know what were done with the other two) and FIVE BOXES of pre-sharpened pencils. FIVE BOXES! That’s over ONE HUNDRED BOXES of pencils for his class.
And I really resent the demands for large outlays of cash – it’s apparently *required* now that your kid gives the teacher a gift at Christmas, and another at the end of the year, and also one during Teacher Appreciation Week (actually at my kids’ elementary school, the kids are supposed to bring in different things for the teachers every single day that week!) And of course if you don’t, everyone knows it.
I spend a lot of time in the summer following the special school supply deals that are starting to appear right about now – 1c folders or 25c notebooks. And I also grab stuff after school begins, when the stores put it all on clearance. We were able this year to fill at least a third of the items on my kids’ lists from our stockpile. And of course we are off to Staples first thing Sunday morning to check out the FREE backpacks!
I agree with you about the demands for cash. Last year I was the homeroom mom for my son who was in Pre-K. The class had 32 kids and was only a half day class but of course they participate in all the same things as the older kids. We had 4 class parties (fall, Christmas, Valentines day, and Summer) and luckily I had about 5 moms who were able to help out with pumpkins (to decorate), snacks and drinks for the parties, etc. But when it came time for teacher appreciation week it was hard. Our school wanted each day something different. One day, was for parents to bring snacks, one day was gift cards for teachers, one day was, a candy gift, etc. It got very expensive. Not to mention our teacher had a morning and afternoon class she was getting items from.
Needless to say, I’ve decided I will not be a room mom again. I’ll help out and bring things for parties and help out when I can, but the demands of parents are just too much. Last year was the first year the school opened and we had soooo many fund raisers. I can understand that but at the same time, the last school they were at (re-zoned) had that many also. One is spare change fundraiser (where kids just go around to family and ask for money), another was fun run, jump rope for heart, and a winter store. It’s just too much.
I agree!!
I agree!
I just wanted to say i think the list is over the top. I read all the comments saying about taxes and teachers ect. Here’s the basics….
1. You want your child to get the best education
2. You don’t want to finance everyone elses education.
3. YOu are a couponer SO HELP.
Let’s be proactive. Talk to your teachers. Let them know of sales. They don’t have time to do it all either. If we help with what we know then the teachers can stretch their money further, they can tell other parents who need help how to do it and yes even other classrooms.
In short instead of baking some cookies give them the benifit of your knowledge! That will cut costs more effecitvely!
I am feeling very lucky after reading a lot of these posts! Our school district has a policy that states all school supplies will be provided by the school and not parents. The only thing we are asked to provide are Kleenex and Hand Sanitizer, however those are also completely optional. Most teachers have a wish list on open house night where parents can choose to take something from the list and purchase it for the class – but only if they want. At the middle school and high school level teachers have a list of items (although it is small) that they would like students to have – but once again it indicates that they are not required. If parents do not have the means to purchase the items the school will provide it for them. My husband is a Kindergarten teacher and although we buy some classroom supplies, the district provides almost everything for them. I still stock up on school supplies when they are discounted at the end of the season just in case!
That is actually a pretty decent list. I have seen much longer, and that is 1/4 of what my students have to bring. I teach K4 at a private christian school, and their list is longer and more detailed than this. Here is the list:
Supply List K4-B Class
2010 – 2011
8 glue sticks
*1 pair scissors
1 pack fat 16 ct crayons
1 pack standard 24 crayons
24 #2 pencils
1 package white copy paper
1 package colored copy paper
**6 pack paper towels
**3 pack Kleenex
**1 bottle hand sanitizer
**4 small or 3 big containers Clorox wipes
**2 bottles & 1 refill bottle liquid hand soap
2 plastic or 3 paper pocket folders
**1 case or 6 refill packs of baby wipes
*1 plastic sleep mat (red and blue)
*crayon box
*reusable or disposable cups w/lids
**1 box gallon Ziploc bags
**1 box quart sized Ziploc bags
*1 set watercolor paints
** 1 bottle toilet bowl cleaner
1 box of 10 Crayola kids paint
**2 cans of Lysol disinfectant spray
**1 box Swiffer wet refills
**shelf stable snack to feed 15-20 such as cereal, animal crackers, crackers,etc.
**1 box mulit-sized Band-aids
complete change of clothes plus undies, socks, and shoes (seasonal) in a labled bag
$10 Wal-Mart gift card for photos and misc. class supplies
*=child’s name; **=item needs to be replenished
So there are really detailed list, and very short lists. It depends on the grade level, and the teachers making the list. However, everything on the list is used all year, and will more than likely run out before Christmas. I know I replaced all of my students crayons 3 times last year. We also go through cleaning supplies, baby wipes, and etc. like crazy. So as a parent when you do have a super long list and think how could they possibly use all this stuff…Just know that THEY DO, and a lot of times teachers will replinish the items using their own money!
Also, at our school we do not have a janitorial service. Teachers have to clean their own rooms, and bathrooms. That is why trashbags and cleaning products are listed. We dont have soap containers either, so that is why we ask for soap. We use all of the items listed, and there is still a lot we have to buy out of pocket. And none of these items are for a teachers personal use.
After reading all the comments on this topic, I decided to see what my grandson needs for kindergarten. 2 boxes of 8 pack crayons, 2 packs of glue sticks, scissors aand a 2 pocket vinyl folder. Hand sanitizer, hand soap, kleenex and ziploc bag donations are optional. Plus ALL kindergarteners eat breakfast free. I guess we are very blessed in our county.
We have $65 fee, a $50 donation, and the supply list still looks very similar to yours.
So what would they do if you simply refused to provide the things that seemed over-the-top to you? Or if you brought in different brands. I think I would at least do the latter (choose my own brands, based on price.) What’re they gonna do? Hmph.
My daughter is entering 9th grade after being homeschooled since 2nd grade. Luckily we are not being asked for specific brands but asking one student to supply 3-4 packs of dry erase markers is ridiculous. Also 3 packs of glue sticks? In 9th grade? Also being asked for paper towels and other cleaning supplies. Oh and red pens, we know these are for the teachers. I understand the hard work teachers do, as I have been doing for a class of 3 and it consumes most of my free time, but we are all in a economic crunch. And we are having a hard enough time buying the required uniforms much less scientific calculators and usb drives. I dont even remember having a supply list when I was in 9th grade, folders, pencils, and pens.
I grew up with 2 teachers for my parents. I also have 2 sisters who work in education, one as a Teacher and the other as a Speech Language Pathologist. As I have been reading though these comments I am ashamed at the readers of this blog.
This is a blog about saving money to fulfill dreams such as otherwise unaffordable vactions. For me, to come here and bash teachers and want to punish them for the lack of money in the education system is downright insulting as an American.
Yes – we pay taxes. Our State government and local government have faults and have in a lot of cases failed to adequately fund the school systems. Take your opinion to the polls, advocate for your school system, write and call your elected officials. If you have issues on how your tax dollars are spent that is the correct way to address that. I can assure you – arguing about 1 pack or 3 packs of crayons is not going to change one thing about our education system.
Regarding the number of supplies: I am so glad none of you have to deal with the extreme poverty of the parents that cannot afford to send anything. There are so many people along the Gulf Coast who would love to be able to buy school supplies that just can’t this year.
Also – Special Education Teachers, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists, and School Nurses, don’t have homeroom students to request supplies from and many teachers share with them.
If you are very concerned with how expensive Public Education is – you have the freedom to choose a private school (Thousands per year) or Homeschool. Homeschooling can also be very expensive with textbooks, supplies, and lost income of the parent that stays home.
The bottom line here is being angry at the “teacher” is so wrong. Many, Many teachers provide lots of supplies out of their own pockets. Here in my state the teachers have received ZERO for the last 2 years. Not even one crayon. My sisters even buy snacks – what would you tell a 4th grader that comes to you at 9:00 whispering that they are hungry and did not get dinner or breakfast?
The general attitude of most of these comments is of an entitled society that is out of touch with reality.
Thanks for actually stating it how it is and taking up for kids. It is sad to see couponers complaining, look for sales and get over it! It’s for our children!
OMG….you hit the nail on the head Brandy!
I could not agree with you more. I just makes me sad and angry to read some of the comments bashing teachers and school districts. I know that it may not by your problem that some family cannot afford their child’s supplies, but when they cannot afford to feed their kids. I think that that hungry child acting out during class or being distracting is doing your child a greater disservice than you spending an extra dollar or two on supplies.
Please pay it forward with a smile on your face and thank God that is not your child.
That’s unbelievable! When I was a kid, my parents didn’t have to buy my pencils and crayons and GLUE!! The school supplied it. I know one problem in my school district (in Las Vegas) is that the administrators make a TON of money! Plus the district bought a $15 million building for their administration offices – has marble walls and floors! If they would quit spending money on stupid things like that, and reduce the salaries of the administrators, maybe the schools could actually supply the supplies once again, instead of shoving that off to the parents. I’m so glad I’m a homeschooler! I don’t buy that many supplies for my 4 kids in school!
Extreme! It sounds like you are in charge of buying things instead of the school/teacher. Not cool. Yes your child have his/her supplies, but supplies for the whole class? Plus a $20 donation? Rediculous. My younger cousin, around Christmas time is given a LIST of what to get her teacher for school! I repeat, rediculous!
Here is a list for K that my little one will start.
10 boxes of 8 count crayons.
3 boxe sof 24 count crayons
1pk of 8 count crayola markers
1 water color paint set
siccors with blunt end
1 pk of cap erasers
12 glue sticks
1 bottle of elmers glue
1 pk of manila paper
1 pk of construction paper
2 plastic folders
2 boxes of kleenex
2 large rolls of paper towels
1 bottle of germ=x
rest mat
1 pk of 24 pencils
1 box of quart or pint size zip lock bags
plus $ 10.00 due the 1st wk of school..
This does NOT include any items that my 4th grader will need
it’s close to the same.
I’m sorry that list is definitly TOO extreme, my kids have been to 3 different school districts,( obviously everyone’s different) but they have NEVER asked this much at any of them, Trash bags, Money Pouch, and $20? The school district should provide this! I understand the economy is affecting everyone but I have seen some people who can barely afford cheap school supplies! Over here in North TX we have are lucky enough to have a “Back To School Round Up” where our whole county (low income families) can apply for supplies, backpacks, uniforms, and $25.00 gift cards for Payless shoes for the kids to get back to school! It may not seem alot or that great to some but it is of great help to many!
Yikes! I’m a teacher and our list is nowhere near this long. We are required to list extra, non education related things like baby wipes, tissues, etc. in a column labeled Optional. Also, we can’t ask for treats. We must furnish these ourselves. We have a lot of economically disadvantaged kids, but usually everyone brings their own school supplies. Is your daughter attending a public school or private school?
Looks like the normal list. Thanks to couponing and sales I’m able to send in what is requested even though it annoys me to send in 15 glue sticks. Then through out the year we get request for more supplies-usually copy paper, paper towels, and clorox wipes.
and i have 2 kids in elementry no including what ill need for my son just going into jr high
Fairview Elementary School
General classroom supply lists
(Specific teachers may request a few additional items.)
Kindergarten
1 backpack with child’s name
1 set of Crayola washable markers (no fine tips, please)
3 glue sticks
1 bottle white glue
2 boxes 24-count Crayola crayons
1 set Crayola watercolor paints
24 pencils (standard size, no fancy pencils)
2 large boxes of kleenex
1 container of glitter
1 box of quart or gallon size ziplock bags
1 box of ziplock sandwich bags
1 package of your child’s favorite fruit
snacks/crackers/pretzels
1 pair of Fiskar scissors
1 box Clorox-type wipes
$3.00 playground/PE equipment fee
* Please do not put your child’s name on any supplies
except their backpack. In a center based program it is
easier to keep all supplies in one location and use as
needed.
First Grade
2 folders with pockets
2 boxes of crayons, 24-pack
1 large bottle of glue
2 glue sticks
1 large box kleenex
1 pair of scissors, Fiskars brand only
24 pencils, #2 Papermate or Supreme, no designer
pencils (Inexpensive pencils have
soft lead and do not hold up. Brand name pencils last!)
2 erasers
1 set of watercolors
1 highlighter marker
1 container Clorox-type wipes
1 school box (container to store school items)
2 reams of white computer printer paper
$3.00 playground/PE equipment fee
Please put names on all items.
Second Grade
2 boxes of 24 crayons
1 box of eight crayons
2 folders with pockets
1 large bottle of glue
2 glue sticks
1 pair of safety scissors (plastic type)
24 Ticonderoga pencils (any size)
2 erasers
1 ruler
1 school box (container to store school items)
2 reams of white computer printer paper
2 large boxes of kleenex
1 tub of anti-bacterial wipes
1 box of sandwich size ziplock bags
1 box of gallon size ziplock bags
1 backpack labeled with student’s name
1 very good attitude
$3.00 playground/PE equipment fee
Third Grade
2 packages of pencils
1 glue stick
1 pair of scissors
1 pencil box (small)
1 box of crayons
1 big pink eraser
Wide ruled notebook paper
2 spiral notebooks
2 reams computer printer paper
2 large boxes of kleenex
1 ruler with inches and centimeters
Binder no bigger than 1 ½ inches
$3.00 PE/playground equipment fee
Fourth Grade
#2 pencils
notebook paper
2 pocket folders
colored pencils
scissors
glue stick
ruler (metric and inches)
crayons
1 pen, blue or black
1 red ink pen
1 black fine-tip marker
2 reams computer printer paper
1 large box of kleenex (to be shared in the room)
$3.00 PE/playground equipment fee
NO BINDERS. THEY WILL BE SENT HOME.
Fifth Grade
Parents may choose to buy these supplies or pay $15
to stock classroom supply.
Pencils
Box of 16 crayons and/or colored pencils
A small pencil box
Ruled paper
2 reams of white computer printer paper
Scissors
5 glue sticks
3 Pee Chee folders
1 ruler
1 bottle of hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes
2 large boxes of kleenex to be shared in the room
$3.00 PE/playground fee
Fairview Elementary School
General classroom supply lists
(Specific teachers may request a few additional items.)
Fifth/Sixth Grade
Pencils
Box of 16 crayons and/or colored pencils
A small pencil box
College ruled paper
2 reams of white computer printer paper
Scissors
2 Pee Chee folders
1 ruler
Elmer’s glue, 3-5 oz.
Two-inch “view” binder
2 large boxes of kleenex to be shared in the room
$3.00 PE/playground fee
Sixth Grade
1 fine point black marker
1 box colored pencils
5 #2 pencils (one is for music class)
2 ball point pens (black or blue, no “Bic” tube style or
roundstick)
1 binder
1 ruler (metric and inches)
2 large boxes of kleenex (to be shared in the room)
1 pink eraser
2 folders (bring one extra for music class)
scissors
loose-leaf college ruled paper, not spiral bound!
Two-inch “view” binder
Small pencil box
Elmer’s glue
2 reams computer printer paper
$3.00 PE/playground equipment fee
This list covers all of the Elem grades and each one seems reasonable.
We live in Las Vegas which has one of the crappiest school districts around with very little spent per student so the supply lists always look crazy like yours. One year I was quite angry because my son picked out the items he liked assuming that they were his supplies. However we soon realized that the teacher put all the purchased supplies into a bin and distributed them to students as needed so my son ended up with a 10 cent wooden ruler while a classsmate got the cool lava-lamp ruler that cost us over $3. He also was given a plain composition book that was on sale for about 50 cents when we had bought a holographic cover one for 3 times as much. I didnt want to be a jerk about it but if I had known that my son wouldnt get to use the actual items he chose I would have purchased the cheapest possible like most of the other parents did.
I am a teacher, and reading your comment just broke my heart. I would NEVER force my kids to throw their things into a basket and let the children pick from it. I cannot believe that any teacher would do that to her students!
This is very close to what my kids have had the last few years. During the school year there is usually a request for items to be sent in a few times a year also. Thank goodness for coupons!
My son will be a 1st grader and his list is 5 specific items short of yours. The other difference is that he needs 12 glue sticks not 2, 2 reams each of colored and white copy paper, and 1 not 3 boxes of crayons. We are not only supplying our kids with what they need but supplying the teacher as well. I volunteer in my son’s school and know that budget cuts are the problem.
This may have already been said or may even make someone mad, but I am so against these large lists. My sister-in-law is a teacher. She says that alot of the extras go to the kids that don’t have their stuff. Well, I guess I have just had it with this country handing out to everyone. I love helping people, but this should be a choice not forced on anyone. My goodness! How many of you are having hard times financially, and you have made your own cutbacks to make sure your kids have? You don’t need to have to take care of so and so’s kid over there. I am sure I sound very negative and harsh, but that is not how I mean to sound. I am venting my frustration with the system. Sometimes I wish the schools would go back to the 1 room schoolhouses like in the movie Anne of Green Gables. Too many people’s salaries are getting larger and larger (and I am not talking about the teachers), and our school taxes keep going up and up and up. If you are frustrated with your list, do what a lady at my church does…she has sent her child with “x” amount, and she politely lets the teacher know that when her child needs another pencil, she will be sure and send it with her. She was not given any trouble when she said that she would be doing it that way. They cannot force you to provide for all the kids who do not bring the items on their list. Don’t be afraid to take a stand. You are still the parent and the taxpayer!
This is my soon to be 1st grader’s list. We also have a soon to be kindergardner and 4th grader. They each a list about the same length and our PTA asks for a $25 donation per child.
First Grade
24 Ct Crayola Crayons
10 Ct Crayola Markers
12 Ct Crayola Colored
Pencils
2-4oz Elmer’s Glue
8 Glue Sticks
2 Reams White Copy
Paper
White Board Markers
(chisel Tip, pack of
4, any color)
Black Sharpie markers
(one extra fine point
and one regular tip)
1 Box Kleenex
Sandwich size Zip-Loc
bags
Gallon size Zip-Loc
bags
2 Blue Ink Pens
2 Highlighters
1 Crayola Watercolor
Paint Set
1-8oz Bottle Hand
Sanitizer
My kids are in middle school and the list is ridiculously long and expensive! They want 2 – 3″ binders and 5 – 1″binders not to mention everything else! The locker isn’t even 11″ wide to accomodate the binders let alone the books, notebooks, folders and everything else! Tell me, just where does the backpack, lunch sack and jacket get stored?
I will say that the lists are long because inevitably the kids will run out of supplies partway through the year. Stock up now while the prices are low because they will skyrocket later. Gluesticks disappear fast when you make display boards and such. Our teachers also put out “wishlists” during conferences so I buy now to help them out later.
Thats a little crazy! My kids don’t get supply lists…we give the teacher $25 during meet the teacher before school starts and they buy what they need for the class. It’s easier for me and the teachers get a discount by buying in bulk and they get what they want/need for the class. :)
I am not a teacher, and never could be. I went to a private school all my life that we could barely afford, so I was just happy my daughter could go to school for free (no tuition)! They do ask for quite a bit of stuff, but I believe that if you can afford it then you should supply it. Some of us can go above and beyond to help and I know the teachers really do appreciate it.
The biggest problem overall though is the fact that we pay professional ball players millions of dollars per game, while barely paying teachers enough to keep them above the poverty line. It’s ridiculous. Teachers are the MOST valuable people in our society and should be paid as such.
If they were paid accordingly…..I bet there wouldn’t be any school supply lists :)
Amen!
Reading over all the comments, I was just reminded of something that happened when I was in high school (lo these many years ago). My supply list included, among other things, SEVEN separate spiral notebooks, one for each period. My father wrote a letter to the school board stating that this was a ridiculous waste of both money and paper. He pointed out that the previous year, I’d ended up with a bunch of half-used spiral notebooks, each with lots of empty pages. So why not just require a three ring binder with seven dividers and a couple packs of notebook paper? Not to mention the problem of me having to actually CARRY seven notebooks plus everything else back and forth to school. The school board did actually reply but of course did nothing about it.
As a teacher myself, my lists are almost as long and filled with the same kinds of stuff. I wish that it did not have to be this way and that the districts could take it up but there have been so many cuts in my area; there is just not enough money. Frankly, I am lucky, I still have a job. My district has programs (sponsored by outside sources) that help the families that cannot afford the supplies but it does not help all families. I find myself trying to make up the difference. I have a lot of out of pocket expenses and these things on the list (I do not expect name brands) help ease some of my own financial burden. I just wanted to say that I do understand why so many are upset, but you have to know it upsets the teachers too. We want our students to have the best possible education and sometimes without outside help, due to budget cuts, we need help. The supply list is one way to get that help and I try to make mine as minimal as possible while still within district guidelines.
O.k. Can we talk for a moment about the fact that my TAXES are supposed to go for something!!!!! I have four children and their lists are each about the same as yours. I was a teacher, but am currently a stay at home mom. I do not think that the teachers should have to pay, however, I also don’t think teachers realize that many of us have more than one child. With 4 lists this long, it gets crazy. Most things I don’t mind, but I truly believe that items like pencils and paper should be provided by the school. I also think that teachers need to be flexible as far as brand names. I guess we will all have to spend the summer searching for all the great deals on school supplies. Thank goodness for coupons and Couponing to Disney!!!
I am a Kindergarten teacher. I get $100 per year to spend on my classroom. Do you have any idea what $100 buys? Nothing! I will buy 200-250 glue sticks that will be used by students after they have used up the glue sticks you have sent in. I will buy 2 sets of 30 folders and 3 reams of paper. This will allow me to have a poetry journal (each filled with 40 sheets of paper) for each student as well as a birthday folder so that they have a special place to put the birthday cards we make for them on their birthday. I often buy a set of spiral notebooks as well so that I can journal with students that are ready to do that at night. I buy a set of scissors for the classroom so that the student who loses his/hers will have something to use. None of that is in the $100 that my school district gives me. That buys the more educational supports. All of the above supplies are out of my pocket.
Teachers often ask for a lot of supplies. Rest assured, the teacher is not taking them home nor are they selling them on the internet. Those supplies usually help supplement the fun projects that are not funded by school districts that are in deep financial straits. Please support your teachers! They only ask for what they really need!
Thank you for all of your hard work and commitment to your students. I appreciate your efforts!
This is very sad and you shouldn’t have to buy all these supplies for your students. The school district should be doing it. While talking about budget cuts property taxes and school taxes continue to go up. We are paying more taxes than ever and getting less for our money than ever.
I’m glad you only ask for what you really need, that is noble on your part, but not all teaches do this. Some of the actual teachers commenting here have said they never ask for some of the supplies listed here and that they never give parents hard earned supplies to another child. I am glad and proud that you are one of those teachers. We need more like you.
we have a total of 12 items on our list in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A few are 2 of this, 4 of this, not only a few.
It is a good thing that we all subscribe to this newsletter and find ways to save money/get stuff free or close to free. I would encourage anyone that can do so to buy extras. It sounds like this school district needs to place limits, though!
I have a stockpile problem with school supplies and buy them all year. My husband doesn’t have too much of a problem with it because the stuff is so cheap. There are a few single parents at work and I ‘bless them with my stockpile’ every year. I tell them they are helping me out by using this stuff. :)
I don’t see why everyone is getting so upset. My oldest is in 5th grade and throughout both school districts his lists have been about the same. We have never had to buy trash bags, but we’ve always had to supply kleenex, paper towels, and baggies. The kids use them. They’re cheap (especially for us bargain hunters!) Last year with the swine flu scare, wet ones were on the list, and when flu season hit, a note was sent home asking each family to send in lysol wipes. We were more than happy to comply since most of our colds come home from school. As far as brand names go, for the first couple years I bought exactly what was on the list, but none of the other kids did, so I think it’s more like an example of what they want.
I just went over my daughter’s supply list again. She is going into 2nd grade, and on the bottom of the list it says in bold capital letters ” Do not label ANY of the 2nd grade supplies “. Is that because it all goes into the “pot” and she won’t get her first choices? Or is that not to embarrass those who can’t afford their own? I do not mind donating extra for the class, but I guess she won’t be picking out any cute folders with puppies or kittens on them for fear that she won’t be able to choose them.
My kids school does the same thing. I think most of it is because the supplies are community supplies and they don’t have everything out on there desks waiting to get used.
Some of the items do look a little much. I have had a first grader and have one now and the list is not quite that long. The colored copy paper? Dry erase markers? Another thing that gets me is that every year we have to send in money for workbooks, yes, public school, and every year at the end of the year they come home almost unused. I use some of them during the summer but not much, they mostly get trashed because I don’t know what to do with partially used workbooks. I certainly don’t expect teacher’s to spend their own money, so I think we need to look at what and how much we are using in the classroom. Another thing they do here that I don’t like, you may bring in certain brands, but that doesn’t mean your child will get them. They just put all the supplies together then divide them out.
My son is entering fourth grade and my husband is an elementary school teacher. We agree that this seems excessive.
I’m ok with it. As a classroom teacher in a school with a zero budget, it either comes out of my pocket or the parent’s pocket. I think most parents are ok with purchasing extra supplies for the class, when asked.
My sons Kindergarden school supply looks like this as well minus the garbage bags. PLus they want 10 glue sticks and a 8oz. pump of hand sanitizer. We also have to leave a pair of tennis shoes in the classroom.
Oregon school keep having more and more budget cuts, and teacher do pay out of pocket for supplies (and here get a tax credit for it). Are they paid alot well I would debate that less than a Dr. But way more than my husband who is a trainer for an entire company. And my BIL who just got laid off from his teaching job after 2 yrs is making twice as much on un-employement as what DH makes and that is not his full salary.
Yes, times are hard for us all.
For the first two years my little boy was in school we were given a list and a website that we were to purchase the supplies from. Of course, I only bought the items from the website that I couldn’t get anywhere else – I wasn’t going to pay $1.50 for Crayola crayons I could get at Target for a quarter! And I knew we were in trouble when he had to have a 2G flash drive for KINDERGARTEN! lol! This year we got a letter from the school secretary that they are buying the supplies for the children and will have them waiting for them on the first day of class. We have to send the money to the school and it varies depending on grade. This year he’s in 2nd grade and our amount is $40. Saves me from having to shop, but at the same time, thanks to our wonderful ladies like Kristin, I KNOW I could beat that buy a huge amount if I could just buy his own stuff.
WOW! Passionate subject huh? Well here’s my 2 cents:
Most public school teachers fund a LARGE majority of their classroom supplies. Four of my children are now homeschooled and one attends a public school, but I am friends with many teachers (some who are tenured and some who just started out), in addition to that my Godfather is a teacher in a “title 3” school aka most of the students are low income.
I know from my experience that a lot of teachers will ask students for these things, and they won’t bring them for whatever reason. This leaves the teacher to go out and purchase those students supplies, on top of the classroom things such as snacks, posters, games, etc. Where I’m at most of the teachers will send home a “needs” list meaning you have to have these things, and a “helpful to have” list meaning these are great if you can get them. In addition to that they usually will ask parents at open house for extras like kleenex, baby wipes or Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer, etc. What you have to remember is that most parents will buy stuff at the beginning of the year, and not purchase another item for the student – let alone the classroom. What I have found is that if I talk to the teacher and ask what they really need right now, they will tell you. Then I’ll let them know that I will keep my eyes open for sales and continue bringing in supplies for the class. When my oldest daughter was in 1st grade I was able to get the stuff from her needs list, and I talked to her teacher, and explained that I knew alot of the things on her list would be going on clearance soon, and if she was willing to wait I would buy extra for the class. She was totally understanding and I happily spent $80 on the class over the next month, bringing in 8 bags brimming with supplies for her. She was estatic! My Grandma found out that they didn’t get kleenex because it “wasn’t in the budget” and she brought in a few boxes a month for the class. I wouldn’t say your daughters list is crazy overboard, because her teacher is assuming that you’ll be purchasing these things this one time for the year. Explain to her that you would rather purchase them a little at a time, if that’s better for you. Teachers are very understanding, and they totally appriciate parents who are honest with them and try to help out.
Wow! I am a teacher and we only only make a “suggested list” but I have never, ever seen a list like that! We supply pur kids with everything they need. We do ask for donations of Clorox wipes, tissues, and hand sanitizers along with other classroom supplies that we will use together but that list is CRAZY!!!
WOW! In my county (Colquitt County, GA) students are not required to bring anything at all, the schools pay for it all. In fact my son brought his sleeping mat home with him after Preschool. That is a crazy list!
Here in Illinois, the registration fees can be up to $400 per year, per student, in ADDITION to lists comparable to the ones I’ve seen posted here. It’s our legislators who are to blame, for taking so much away from the schools. It’s actually unconstitutional to require a fee, as in our constitution it states that each child is entitled to a “free and appropriate education.” Where’s the money going?
This is very normal for a Kindergarten school supply list UNFORTUNATELY! I am a Jr. High school teacher and am floored at the amount of supplies that elementary teachers ask for at that age. I have one daughter going into 4th grade and her list is not this extensive, but very close. I have one daughter two years from Kindergarten and am bracing myself for the list that will come with registration! But, I also live in Texas where our governor chose not to take the bailout package from the federal government and now our state budget is a mess. Needless to say, our school budgets have been cut and we have nothing this year. Class sizes are going to be at an all time extreme too! It is really bad for everyone involved! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is our reality in Texas.
I could be wrong, but my husband is saying that our state (Texas) is in the black. Your school district may be doing poorly financially, but that is not the case in all parts of Texas. They (probably most if not all schools) need to cut all their building projects and cutback on the salaries of those in Administration. Year after year, they try to pass school bonds here. I get on the phone and let people know what is going on. If they can’t budget for a new roof every “x” amount of years, then they need to lose their job. As a homeowner and parent, if I don’t budget for those things, then we just do without. That is my responsiblity. It is time for governments and schools be held accountable for what they do.
This is crazy!!! I haven’t seen my daughter school supply list yet but I hope it is not that long. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have problems helping out and sending some extra items on the list but I don’t want to go thru what I did last year.
My daughter would complain all the time she didn’t have colors, pencils or markers all the time because the other kids would steal them so I ended up buying her that all year long. I went to talk to the teacher several times but the only thing she would tell me is that she couldn’t do anything about it. I ended up using about 20 boxes of colors, pencils and markers. I will not this happen this year.
This is a crazy list.Why do you need 3 packs of crayola crayons..my list only says 1, white and colored copy paper Why? Shouldn’t all schools supply paper…Now as for garbage bags, and soap the school should also supply all of these things.. if a kid gets dirty they go to the bathroom to wash up..and baby wipes..3 boxes.. my youngest is going in to kinder. and they don’t even ask for that.One thing that all classes started to ask for was clorox wipes for each child to leave in their own desk so that if someone is sick or getting over a cold they can wipe there desks down…which I thought was a really good idea.
I think its pretty long! But that does not surprise me…the only thing i didn’t see on there was toilet papper! LOL
I teach preaschool and we have a small budget of 10$ a room and it is SOOOO helpfull when parents help us with some of the supplies cause its just not possible without all your help prices have gone up so much since the economy took a dive !! It is GREATLY appreciated we still do have to pay for stuff out of pocket like art stuff but everything that you bring is used !! thanks
Aaaaaaaaah, so glad we homeschool! : )
I would say that this is a little extreme. I am a teacher and I feel that this is a little too much. Yes, the economy is hitting teachers hard, but it is also hitting my families. As a teacher, I think I would put optional on some of those items. Good luck and I can’t wait to hear the deals that you get on all of the items.
While I do think that your daughter’s list is long, both of my daughters have the SAME things on their lists as yours does. And while I don’t mind the supply list, the teacher’s wish list, and teacher appreciation week full of gifts, I do however dis-like the $20 donation fee. What is that for? Considering the fees that you pay for school registration, the workbook fees, and your property tax fees, in addition to bringing supplies for the whole classroom, I am starting to think that this is becoming way to much for some parents to handle.
I have been focusing on just getting school clothes (both girls had growth spurts so NOTHING fits from last yr lol)..hadn’t even thought about school supplies yet lol. After seeing the post I went to the school’s websites to check and this is ours:
Holland (1st grade):
1-Pack of #2 pencils (dozen)
1-Pack of cap erasers
1-Pair of blunt nose scissors
3-Pocket folder (2 pockets w/prongs)
(Red, blue, & green if possible)
2-Spiral notebooks (yellow & black if possible)
1-Pencil box
1-Bottle of hand sanitizer
1-Box of 24 crayons
1-Box gallon Ziploc bags from boys
1-Box quart Ziploc bags from girls
1-Box tissues
and oldest daughter Remy (7th grade) hasn’t gotten one yet. Good news is that A. they aren’t outrageous and B. my aunt just had her last child graduate high school and just brought over a HUGE storage tote of supplies so there is VERY little I will have to buy OOP! Yea! With the load she gave us I will be sending some extras to the class too.
I have a High School Sophomore and a College Sophomore….so I can speak from experience – the lists DO get shorter the older they get. This year I will probably have to purchase 4-8 (depending on the class type) 2 inch binders and paper and pens/pencils. (They are on block scheduling so they only have 8 classes a year). Elementary school always seems to ask for more, like a lot of people said, to compensate for the people who won’t buy the stuff for their children.
I can tell you (again, from experience unfortunately) that the TRASH BAGS are probably for Head Lice outbreaks. When my kids were little once they had one student infested then they would put ALL the kids backpacks, coats, etc. in a trash bag when they got to school to help prevent the spreading of it. It was actually a pretty good way of stopping it because the coats didn’t hang right next to each other, if that makes sense. I was also told that ‘head lice likes long BLONDE hair the best’ (yeah, my daughter has blonde hair – whoopie) so I suggest nice high PONYTAILS and pigtails to school. :S Sorry to be such a downer, but I still remember lice season sooooo well. ugh.
Last bit of school advice – don’t get bogged down selling those fund-raiser items. We started giving a $20 or so donation directly to the school in lieu of selling stuff. That’s a 100% PROFIT for the school and saves you time and friends! lol
I am a former public school teacher, and now, as a teacher in a private school that is so small we almost didn’t make it this year, I know the effect the economy is having on everyone. My daughter attends the school, and each teacher was asked to include the following on their list:
4 Pack Toilet Paper
Bottle of Sanitizer
Package of Clorox Wipes
Box of Kleenex
Roll of Paper Towels
Pack of Copy Paper
While Cleaning supplies may seem uncalled for, I understand where some of the teachers are coming from. Before all the budget cuts, teachers could go to the custodial staff and request a package of paper towels. Now, you won’t get them, becuse if the school runs out of paper towel, there will be none for the bathrooms (uggg) and a lot of times, they can’t get more. I often need paper towels to clean up a mess (glue, etc.) in the room and can’t leave the class and run to the bathroom to get some. I need them in the room.
As for regular supplies, my daughters list is similar to mine. It is way shorter than yours! Mine, being longer, is as follows:
Required:
Crayons (24)
Colored Pencils (12)
Scissors (Please not safety/blunt tip, but not large adult either)
Pencil/School Box
Glue Sticks (2)
Bottle Glue
Pencils
Pink (Large) Eraser
Red Pens (2)
Highlighters (4)
Ruler
1 Spiral Notebook
1 Composition Notebook
Folders (All Plastic/Poly)
• 1 With Pockets
• 3 With Prongs and Pockets
3-Ring Notebook (1-1 ½ inch)
Loose-leaf Notebook Paper (3-4 Packages Wide Ruled)
1 Packet Graph Paper (1/4 inch grid)
Compass (6th Grade and Above ONLY)
Protractor (6th Grade and Above ONLY)
Optional: These would help our classroom run more smoothly, but are not necessary.
Dry Erase Markers (2-4) These would be for our individual white boards.
Dry Erase Board Cleaner
Markers
We do not need dry-erase board erasers, but if you have a sock without a match, I will take it! They make great erasers!
Hand-held Pencil Sharpeners are NOT allowed, so please do not bring them to school. Use them at home for homework!
Now, I teach 3 grades, so that is why I specify a grade on the compass and the protractors!
We have students from all income levels, so I understand that parents can’t always afford everything, As a single mom, I myself can barely make it some months. I try to speak with each parent and let them know that things can be sent in throughout the year. I also remind them that school supplies are on sale now, so they won’t want to wait until they run out of paper to buy more. It will be $0.25 now, and $3 in January! You can see I try to find economical solutions – those mismatched socks make great whiteboard erasers. I also told my parents about the sales on dry erase markers this week as well as reminding them to watch the other store flyers so maybe they can save some money.
On a more personal note, for those who are not teachers, you may not realize that as a teacher, you can only deduct $250 of your out of pocket costs on your taxes. Business people can deduct much more than that. Most teachers (even us deal shoppers) spend at least $800 a year out of pocket on supplies that dwindle during the year. That is a huge chunk I could put in my Disney fund! We do it because we love our jobs and we love our students. We are human too however – we understand when there are people who can’t afford all the supplies. My final words: If you can afford it – give; if you can’t – give what you can afford. Anything is better than nothing!
I am a teacher in MN at a suburban school district that has always been very fiscally responsible. This year for the first time, we are facing the huge budget cuts that our neighboor districts have been facing. As a teacher, my supply budget has been cut in half for this school year and my class size has gone up 5 kids. When we request specific brands there is a reason for it. We have 30 some kids come through out room every year, and know which brands last and which ones don’t, causing you to buy replacements more often. I am used to living paycheck to paycheck at home, but now am having to be even more critical at work as well. We are all feeling the pinch of the economy and need to help out when we can. As a teacher, I spend about, $1000 a year out of my pocket on supplies and material for my classroom. I am only able to claim $250 of it on my taxes each year. I still feel lucky! My sister teaches 1st grade at an inner city school here in MN and she doesn’t even get colored construction paper!
Kristin… I think your list is excessive, one box of crayons is sufficient, but often they need to be replaced half way through the year as they are broken or lost, maybe they are telling you what the kids need for the whole year so that you can get the deals now and not have to pay full price later.
I could go on and on with more reasons behing the lists but I won’t.
Yes this looks almost identical to my daughters 2nd grade class list here in California. It is crazy and a lot of money to spend to send the kiddos to school!
That is RIDICULOUS! My son will be 5 next year and I plan to homeschool. There’s just something wrong with being expected to provide the teacher with their pens and cleaning supplies. Even worse that they specify what colors the folders and notebooks have to be!!
Wow – I can totally relate to this post, so get ready for my rant! :) Both of my sons were sent home with a laundry list of what to bring in September. I can’t help but cringe each year when I start back-to-school shopping – it’s pretty funny being in Staples and hearing all the moms griping to each other about it. I remember when I was a kid, the most we had to bring were a couple pencils and maybe a notebook and folder.
I know the teachers don’t get a lot of money for supplies, and I don’t have a problem with supplying crayons and the basics, but some of these requests are over the top – not just glue, but “gel” glue AND glue sticks. Really?? Post-it notes? Why??
I also don’t feel it’s the responsibility of the parents to supply the school with cleaning & paper products. That’s what we’re paying (very high) taxes for! I don’t think keeping the school clean is optional based on whether or not I supply Clorox wipes!
I also believe they ask for duplicates (“3 boxes of crayons”) because they anticipate some parents won’t bring in the supplies, and therefore you’re providing supplies for their kids. My kids clued me in on this when they told me they had to share their supplies with the kids who didn’t have any.)
The best part was when my middle-schooler cleaned out his locker the last day of school, and came home w/ many of the “required” supplies unopened! Not sure I’m going to be buying everything on this year’s list….
That list is absolutely ridiculous! All that stuff and $20 donation! I don’t think so! I can see stuff for your daugther, crayons, pencils, backpack; but not the stuff for the classroom. The school district should be delivering that!
yes!~I have a child going into the 7th grade at very well supported city school. We are asked to bring a lot too.I have problems when they ask for lysol wipes,hand sanitizer,tissues,and paper towels.Is it wrong not to send these? christy
WOW! I use to teach first grade and I always thought our list was too long, but they were never this long even when I was teaching in an extreamly wealthy area. I have heard that many of the PTA’s are not giving as much $ to the teachers anymore and the school’s are not giving as much money any more, however, You can teach children with none of the “extras” and in this hard economic time you would think they would also consider this when making the lists!
WHOA! That’s an unbelievable list! I can’t imagine why all that stuff is necessary! I teach 6th grade in Pensacola, Florida, and we don’t ask for half that stuff! In my opinion, the following items are unnecessary (or at least it should be unnecessary for parents and students to provide): 2 of the boxes of crayons and 1 of the boxes of pencils — 1 of each is enough for a school year, copy paper, all the Expo stuff, baby wipes, clorox wipes, ziploc bags, garbage bags, paper towels, and ALL the teacher requests. The school really needs to be careful; OSHA regulations require that schools have MSDS info for all cleaning supplies and/or chemicals. With all the brands of baby wipes and knock offs of Clorox wipes, they can’t possibly have them all. As a teacher, I would never advertise the stuff that I would like in the classroom. If a parent asks, I’ll let them know what we need, but I wouldn’t want the parents who can’t assist to feel bad because they didn’t provide what was listed.
Hi Barbie, I teach in Santa Rosa County. It’s neat seeing someone so close on here!
In Jax, Florida, our lists are similar.
My girls will be entering 3rd & 5th grade and we have never had a school list. I however, make sure that I pick up items when they are on sale.
I did ask the school if they supply a list and was told that the schools here supply the kids with all the supplies they need. Maybe once school starts they might send home a wishlist for some items.
Ok, lets open up another can of worms………My grandaughter will be going to private k3 this fall. The kids have a monthly menu to choose from for lunch……..Monday=McDonalds, Tuesday=Pizza Hut etc. Apparently there is no kitchen at the school. I suppose you could send a lunch from home, but that to me would not work seeing other kids eating pizza and you have bologna and cheese! The cost is $40 a month pre paid. Also if a kid wants a smoothie they can order that too. Junk food every day!!!!!! What do u all think, and do other schools without kitchens have this too.
Our school doesn’t have a kitchen either and we have the same issue. Monday = Pizza, Tuesday = Zaxbys chicken & chips, Wednesday = Hot dogs, carrots & fruit, Thursday = Spaghetti, bread and salad, Friday = Subs, chips, cookie. It is the same menu week after week for the whole year. I can live with the spaghetti because it has some vegetables with it, but nutritionally the rest stinks. Also, ours if $4 per day. That is $88 for August alone! Ridiculous! I let my daughter pick a day to eat school lunch each week, and we pack the rest of the week. I always pack on Wednesday – I just send in a hotdog – and Thursday – I pack spaghetti. Thanks to my deal shopping, I spend way less than $4 and she eats the same as her friends.
We ran into this with the theater camp my kids were in this summer. For $5 per day you can buy lunch. McDs on Monday, Taco Bell Tuesday, Wendy’s on Wednesday, a sub from Publix on Thursday (that’s $6) and pizza on Friday. For two kids that’s $52 a week! We let them pick one day per week each to buy lunch and they brown bagged the rest of the week. Thanks to couponing, I probably spend less than $5 a day packing lunch for the whole family!
Our elementary school does have a kitchen of sorts, but we don’t let the kids buy lunch during the school year either, just milk. It is SO much cheaper to send in lunches.
As a substitute teacher, I can tell you first hand how hard it is for teachers to have enough supplies in their classrooms. With all the cutbacks in the school systems today, teachers are spending more and more out of their own pockets for their students. With all the furlough days teachers are now having to take is this fair?
My son’s list for 2nd grade:
Put child’s name on EACH ITEM and put in 2.5 gallon zip lock bag.
4 boxes sharpened pencils
Backpack – no wheels
2 fat pink erasers
4 boxes of crayons 16-24 ct
2 scissors with blunt/round ends
6 PLASTIC pocket folders (which are $1 ea vs .10 ea)
1 small zippered pencil pouch
4 composition notebooks
12 glue sticks (DO THEY EAT IT?????)
2 boxes tissue
1 roll paper towels
1 bar antibacterial soap
2 8 oz bottles hand sanitizer
4 wireless notebooks
1 highlighter
1 pkg markers
2 pkg copy paper
2 3rd grade tablets
1 bag wrapped candy without nuts
A – F last name: package paper plates
G-L package 8 oz cups
M-R plastic forks
S-Z plastic spoons
And, they usually send a note home in December asking for more supplies. This list is actually better than last year’s when I had to buy paint, tennis balls (???), 4 hand sanitizers…
I don’t mind helping out but our family is much more well off than some. So, those children don’t bring anything at all in and then they ask us again after Christmas break to send more. It can be frustrating. But, I got the tissue, soap, paper towels, candy virtually free w coupons, so I guess that’s not so bad.
The tennis balls were probably for the bottom of the chair legs. It keeps them from scuffing the floor. If they were resourceful, the school can contact a tennis club and get slightly used balls for free.
I know this because I am a teacher who took the time to do this – Even though it “isn’t my job” :)
There are sooo many things wrong with your list, Cheryl, but I’ll just comment on my favorites. Wrapped candy? Why? And my absolute favorite: TWO 8oz bottles of hand sanitizer?!?!?! Are they bathing the children in it? I can’t go through one of those mini hand sanitizers from Bath and Body Works in a year!
I’m a teacher and have taught kindergarten and first grade. Our supply lists always ask for two bottles of hand sanitizer. Teachers use that for the kids more than you think. I used hand sanitizer on the kids before snack, after snack, after PE, before lunch, after computer lab and library, and THEY MUST squirt their hands after each bathroom trip and after each sneeze/cough. It seems like a lot, but in order for germs to stay at a minimal, you have to clean your hands.
It’s so ridiculous! My son was in Kindergarten last year and I was shocked to see the supply list. Almost all of what you listed, but 3 boxes of 24 count Crayolas plus 3 boxes of 8 count. Really? Last time I checked the colors in the 8 count box were also in the 24. He had to have colored pencils, but not once during the school year did he ever bring home a picture colored with them. Also had to have paper plates, aluminum foil, 2 sizes of ziploc bags. 8 glue sticks and 3 bottles of glue. On top of all that he had to have headphones for the computer lab that were $20! Come on!
What really got me was seeing the teachers’ supply closet on the days I would volunteer and see it fully stocked….even at the end of the school year. Where do all those supplies go at the end of the year…..my guy brought home a half used bottle of glue and a small box of crayons.
so frustrating!
I think your list is a little over the top. My son will be in 2nd grade this year and his list is not that extensive. And also let me point out that my sister-in-law is a teacher at a private school and any supplies left over at the end of year she takes home. So everyone may want to keep that in mind when purchasing supplies that aren’t actually essential to their kids learning.
wow she takes them home ! We have to leaves ours in the school at all times I would never think about taking them home they are there for the kids thats weird that they can do that !
I teach at a private school as well, and we have supplies left over, but I NEVER TAKE THEM HOME! They are stored in my closet at school for use during the next school year! Does the headmaster allow this, or does she just do it because she can?
My daughter is going into 1st grade as well and her list is about the same as yours… http://manatee.sp.brevardschools.org/Shared%20Documents/ManateeSchoolSupplyList2010.doc
But I was able to get everything on her list for less than $20 so it’s not THAT bad…
I have 3 starting school the first week of AUG.
The list seems like my 1st graders. My 8th grader got seperate lists from each teacher last year and the ” Dontions” list in a couple of his classes was crazy. His art class required a whole giant list and a $25 fee ontop of that, 1/2 wat through the semester they sent another supplies newsletter and wanted another $10. His english teacher wanted 6 boxes of kleenex. I have been stocking up at walmart & target when I see the deals.
Alas, that’s not all that atypical. And it gets worse.
My husband kept a record of how much our kids “free” public education cost us last year. Between teacher requests for snacks, extra classroom supplies, money for “field trips” (some of which took place in the school cafeteria – very far afield!), money and food for class parties money for gifts for teachers, money for school book fairs, contributions for “jean day”, donations for charities the school is supporting, and so on and so on and so on ad nauseum, it was SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS PER KID!!!!
That does NOT include the cost of the start-up supply list, or the uniforms (yes, public schools here have uniforms), just the requests for money or “stuff” during the year! And we were comparatively frugal. We didn’t buy yearbooks, nor did we let the kids buy chocolate heart lollipops to give to friends on Xmas or Valentines Day (at a dollar each!). Nor did we buy many of the other things the school tried to sell us over the year.
I think the thing that really annoyed me was when the school decided to collect for some worthy cause or other and wanted every kid to contribute. Now, I totally agree that Haiti relief is a very worthy cause, but by the time the school got around to collecting money and canned goods, we’d already donated. A lot, actually. The kids had even donated the money they put into the charity box every weekend when they get their allowance. But if we didn’t give more through the school, our kids would be seen as not caring about the problems in Haiti. They also collected money to save some endangered animal – I forget which, and a couple of other things. We support a number of charitable organizations but one can only give so much and we have chosen the charities we want to support. To be essentially blackmailed into giving to the school’s charity of choice is NOT RIGHT!
That list is slightly longer than ours but not shockingly so. The greatest problem is that schools simply do not have enough funding. They can’t buy the things the teachers need for the classrooms and teachers across the country are experiencing pay freezes or even cuts and can’t afford to fill in the gaps themselves either! (Being a teacher before I stayed @ home with my kids, I know how fast it can all add up!!! I spent money weekly for things in my classroom.) Sadly, many kids will only come with some or NONE of the supplies so as a parent who looks for things super cheap, I always send extras in. Also, you’d be amazed how fast those little fingers wear out pencils and crayons, how fast those noses tear through tissues, and how big of messes those little people can make!! They tear through supplies :)
I think this list is a little on the long side – not so sure about the cleaning supplies and clorax wipes (in my state we aren’t even allowed to have them).I am a kindergarten teacher and first let me say MOST teachers do not try to get the lists bigger and bigger each year. Most teachers try to make it as least expensive as possible (my district has a $ limit) plus most teachers have kids of their own so they are buying the same things.
Here was the items I asked for this year:
3 boxes of crayons (Kindergarteners break them very easily and go through them fast)
6 Glue Sticks (lids are left off all the time and they dry up very quickly)
1 Water paint
1 Backpack
1 pair of scissors
1 pack of Markers
1 Ziploc Bag (These are used for take home book bags, play dough, …..) I know parents always complain but we really use them.
1 ream of copy paper (Yes, we asked for paper! We make take home books for the kids all the time and use blank paper each day. We go WAY over our paper budget with coping all the books we send home for kids to KEEP and read at home. Plus, we don’t ask for lined paper or notebooks)
Each year I look at the list and take things off and add to it. I do try my hardest to keep it as cheap as possible. However, with budget cuts and funding the schools don’t give us a ton of money and if we don’t get it from parents we have to buy it. School hasn’t even started for me and I just spent $100 on things for my classroom. I would love to be able to buy everything for the kids but I have a family to and we need to make our money go as far as possible.
My suggestion is buy what you can afford and hit the basics i.e. crayons, scissors, notebooks. Teachers generally go out and hit all the clearnace sales to stock up for the next year. Also, if you can afford it donate extra supplies.
I graduated high school 10 years ago and don’t have any kids of my own but WOW. When I was growing up we NEVER had to do this! To me, a lot of that stuff should be provided by the school! Why do we all pay school taxes (even those of us who have no children) if they make parents pay for all these supplies?!
That is insane. Since when do the kids need to supply the teacher’s markers, marker board cleaner and trash bags? Why do you have to buy the teacher’s stuff, too. Also, she is asking for antibac stuff, which was “outlawed” at my son’s school after a student drank a bottle and almost died. That stuff can be pretty dangerous. This is definately the most extreme list i have ever seen. I am required to pay $50 at my son’s school to cover all supplies for the year and workbook fees. I feel so badly for you.
I have 3 kids from grades 3-7 and your list is the EXTREME!!
My daughter starts First Grade this year also and her list is just as long. While I understand the need to do this I do not understand why they need name brand scissors, glue, and the like. That seems a little extreme to me!
My youngest is starting kindergarten this year so I have 4 kids to shop for. None of our lists are quite as long as yours. All of the personal and cleaning type items, including tissues, hand santizer, clorox wipes, ziploc bags, liquid hand soap, band aids,etc. are only allowed to be asked for as donations in our schools, not supplies.
I would agree with the following tips:
1) label your child’s items, particularly special folders or notebooks that your child especially picked out to use
2) stock up on extra paper, crayons, and pencils now to be stored at home, that way you can send in more as needed
3) most teachers I’ve encountered aren’t specific about brand names of items, you could always check to make sure
4) if you really can’t afford a requested item or donation right now, talk to the teacher about it, they often also don’t mind donation suggestions trickling in throughout the year instead of all on the first day
5) be sure to find out exactly what your child needs for the first day, often teachers do not want all 4 boxes of crayons,etc. sent in at once
6) I finally did start substituting some items, such as stocking up on the on-sale small glue sticks and buying extra of those instead of a jumbo one, or buying the 24 count of crayons so cheaply and sending in the number of crayons requested (such as 8 or 16)
I do apologize if I offend anyone, I don’t have a school aged child just yet, so this is what I remember and have seen my parents buy and do.
For most elementary schools, most of the items go into a “community pot.” I understand not everyone is able to buy all the items on the list, hence the “pot.”
I have seen and had to have all of my supplies labeled in late elementary school and same for my siblings in early middle school.
Middle school and high school (7-12) we had no formal list. I had at least 1 notebook per class (5classes a day), a binder (I still have and use for my coupons), our choice of pencils or pens. Only time we touched computer was in computer lab or in the library. Most of the these kids have Facebook or Myspace and cell phones; requiring a laptop for school is ridiculus!!! The school is asking for trouble. What teens are learning in school is more advanced than what I learned (a constant topic w/ Dh). We learned what needed to be taught and that was it.
There is a reason the schools are progressing. If they were taught the basics they wouldn’t be able to be competitive in today’s society.
My daughter is going into 6th grade and this is the first year that she has been given a list…maybe 5 -8 items. You list is unbelievable. I have always bought supplies for her classrooms when needed (babywipes, hand sanitizer, snacks, kleenex…ect). Garbage bags, ziplock bags and paper towels???
My husband is a teacher and spends money out of his pocket for kids who come to class without the necessary items. I always stock up when Staples has their 1 or 5 cent sales.
Your list is outrageous and the request for $20.00 on top of your list is ludicrous.
Several years ago my son brought home a long list of supplies required in his 5th grade class. I also had lists for my 3rd and 1st graders to fill, very confusing. I left off a roll of paper towels for the 5th grader. During one of my classroom visits, i noticed his name and several others in large letters on the black board and I asked hime what that was for. He said his name would be left on the board until he brought in the paper towels. I was so livid. I went straight to the principal about it. His was name was removed immediately and I did not send paper towels. This was 3 weeks into the school year. I could not believe they humiliated the kids like that because of an oversight, nor can I believe that they actually wnet through all of the kids stuff to see who brought what. So much for LOTTO funded education.
Well i think that list is a little LONg…lol Trash bags and paper towels… Dosent the school provide those…
Last year my son was in kindergarten and his list was about 3./4 less that that… i had a HUGe stockpile of wipes so i gave the teacher about 30 boxes of wipes… and then one day my son came home from school and said some of the kids had to nap ON THE FLOOR!!!..
I felt REAL BAD, so i went to kmart and they had mats on clearance for 2 dollars, i bought about 10 of them and gave them to the teacher…
I am a low income household, but come on can they not afford to spend 2 dollars on a mat for their kids.. Most of the people around here would rather spend it on booze or drugs… uh some people i guess.. they can roll in a new car, but the kids have to sleep on the cold hard tile…
My Daughter (K) had to have 24 packs of glue sticks!! And all the stuff you listed!! It is out of control!! Thank goodness grandparents pay for ours every year!
That is nuts!!! My twins are just in preschool, so I can’t compare, but OMG.
Yeah, the list seems about right and I’m in Michigan. I have a Kindergartener and a Third Grader. I’m ok with buying school supplies for my kids, the ONLY thing I have a hard time with is the name brands (which my schools ask for) BUT my daughter’s put their stuff in a big stockpile. I learned the hard way about that. We bought everything when my oldest was in Kindergarten and she was devasted when she didn’t get the purple folders she picked out. She then ended up with Rose Art crayons (when I had picked up the specified Crayola). I think that’s ridiculous. I get it that some people can not afford everything on the list (heck, I might not be able to if I didn’t coupon, check for sales, stockpile, etc) BUT if I’m sending in the stuff, I feel my daughter’s should get their stuff. Put the excess in a stockpile. That’s what I find unfair. So with that off my chest, I will begin my back to school shopping now ;)
P.S. One side note, I don’t have to do the $20 donation but we do have to buy class shirts at the beginning of every school year for $6 that we don’t see come home until the last day of school.
Thats about what our lists look like (I have 3 in elementary this year) but everything is shared classroom supplies except for their back packs and pencil boxes. And we have a book fee on top.
Just double checked my master list – between the 3 kiddos I need to send 14 boxes of kleenex, 16 notebooks and 17 glue sticks (and the list goes on ….)
My DD isn’t old enough for school yet but I saw some of the school list coming over the pharmacy fax yesterday and I think its outrageous! We the city we live in has a lot of families on welfare/ lower income and the schools ask that the kids bring double everything to “share” with the low income kids. I understand that times are tough now but they have always asked for that. It just makes me mad that I would have to spend twice the money and someone else wouldn’t have to spend a penny. (and those same people come through the pharmacy with their brand new SUVs, namebrand purses and other luxury items, its not like they didn’t have the money to spend). Sorry to rant. My point is that I have told DH if its still the same BS by the time DD is going to school we will just homeschool because we can’t afford to pay for other kids, I can barely pay for my own. And I agree with PP about already paying thousands of dollars in taxes to the schools. But also as a friend of multiple teachers I don’t feel that they should pay out of their own pocket, do you know how much they make?
yeah………i know this sounds awful, but i am putting my foot down this year. we are bringing crayons and some pencils and folders and paper. my girls will be in 4th grade and i used to buy everything off of the lists to see sadie have a pencil about an inch long when she is doing her homework. i am sorry, but i didnt send 48 pencils to school so EVERY OTHER KID could write with them. if she needs a new pencil other than what i send this year, she is getting it from MY drawer.
my daughter who has special needs..ill send her class whatever hand sanitizer and baby wipes they need though because most of those kids cannot walk and i realize the actual need for things like that in that particular class. sadie’s class, though ,can visit the restroom and wash their hands with soap IMO!
My kid is going to school for the first time this year. His list is long but nothing like yours. I remember we had to have the fat crayons that was flat on one side.
Holy long list, Batman! Ours is pretty simple for public school Kindy: (they suggest brand names, but don’t require them, and it’s one each; we’re providing extras of what we can to make up for those who can’t provide one)
24 pack Crayola crayons
Crayola washable markers – classic colors
4 oz school glue
backpack – no wheels
small plastic art box
pack plain yellow #2 pencils – standard size (not the big ones)
Fiskars kids’ scissors
large roll paper towels
box Kleenex tissues
box quart-size Ziploc bags
water color paint set
box baby wipes
liquid hand soap
hand sanitizer
1″ ruled primary writing tablet
set of headphones for the computer
cloth nap mat with pillow
The headphones are all over at Wal-Mart for $4.88 a pair, so I picked up 2 extras; one backup for him for later and one extra in case someone else doesn’t have one. The nap mat I bought there at the school when I registered him. What can I say? Yes it was a bit overpriced, but it was Spider-Man, had an attached pillow, fully washable, fundraiser for the school and supports a local company in the next county over. Isn’t that why we coupon and deal search: so that we can splurge where it counts???
They also require 2 workbooks that are only available (as far as I know) at a college bookstore on the other side of town. I called and they weren’t in yet, so I’m waiting until the tax-free weekend to pick them up. Still not sure of the cost.
Also required is a $10 payment at orientation; $5 for weekly reader, $5 for additional art supplies. I also intend to stay close with the teacher throughout the year and see if she needs more supplies and stuff that we can afford to help with. We’re strained right now, but hubby’s work should pick up again in another month or two, and we might be in a better place to help out.
My daughter goes to a private preschool (where my son went until now,) and we pay tuition, but are only required to provide a backpack. We donate other things throughout the year, though as we see a need, including Wal-Mart giftcards for things like photo developing, and at the end of the year we usually give the teacher a WM g/c as a gift, for personal use. Like I said, we can usually afford to do so, due in great part to my shopping habits, and want to help out for others who can’t. I see many single mothers dropping their kids off at the school, and know that they don’t have as much as we do, so I like to share. It’s only fair, in my opinion.
(Oh, and my daughter is going into K-3 this year, but the past two years, I’ve bought a large pack of store-brand diapers then store-brand trainers and a box of wipes and had them kept in the room, in case she or one of the other children needed one that a parent forgot to include in the backpack that day! Oops! I also donated a case of wipes and a pack of take-n-toss sippy cups, for the same purpose. I know what it’s like to be forgetful, and I never want my kids to suffer because I’m blessed with a horrible memory.)
I just had to comment on your post, after reading so many parents’ and teachers’ comments, that your children are so lucky to have a parent like you. Giving, selfless, and generous to those who have less – I wish that more people in our society could be like you. As it is, many simply whine about why they should have to pay for others (even in the same breath acknowledging that not all parents can afford what is on those lists). You take some of the burden off of both other students, other families, and the teachers. Your post gives me hope! Thank you.
For grade school, this seems like the normal school supply list. But the extra cash donation is not the norm here. However, as parents DH and I have no problem doing this for our children. Right now it’s a small price to pay. Wait until they go to college, now that’s a lot of money. But I digress. Anyway, it’s time to put our bargain shopping skills to use. Right now many stores have excellent deals on many of these school supplies for cents. Buy them and stockpile them. Throughout the school year your child may need extras and you will already have them in stock. No need to pay full prices later on. In fact, I still have 13 packages of paper I bought last year for 10 cents each. And that’s after kids used some and I donated some. Also, if you are so inclined, buy extra (especially if it’s cheap) and donate it to your child’s teacher or school. And please let’s stop complaining about “school lists” in front of the kids. Don’t let them think that their going to school is making you mad because of the cost. I suggest you just do what you can and buy what you can. You’d be surprised at how much just $5 can buy for your child in terms of basic school supplies. .25 for crayons, .20 for paper, .50 for colored pencils, etc. It just takes effort on our part to hunt those bargains down. Check the ads and/or take a drive to Walmart or Target. And don’t forget, once school starts the stores will be marking down items for clearance. That is a great time to buy your backpacks and lunchboxes for next year. Many times I bought backpacks at Target on clearance for $5 or less and held onto them for my kids to use next year. The trick is find a plain backpack or if it’s a character just make sure it’s something your child will still like next year. LOL. And one more thing to keep in mind, once your child starts school you will be able to get a clearer picture of what they ACTUALLY use in class. Then if it makes you feel better, just buy what they actually use and forget the long list. Personally, I resent the asking for a cash donation. I like to donate things throughout the year because I want to NOT because they asked me to. Kleenex and Lysol wipes are good things to donate especially when flu and cold season hits. Again, only do what you can and what you want to. Don’t be angry and don’t take it out on the kids. Sorry to be so long, but I guess I had a lot to say. Thanks for letting me vent the “other” side. :)
Your list is lon!. My daughter’s is similar (for kindergarten) except she only needs one of things. Although I know how she breaks crayons easily. 3 boxes of crayons is a bit much. And also on the classroom supplies, boys are bringing some items and girls are bringing others. Hopefully they won’t ask for anything else during the school year but where do they have room to store all this stuff?
I made the dreaded trip to Walmart yesterday Kristin. I spent $72 on that list! And still have to get the specific teacher items.
My kids’ school puts out lists by grade. Kindergarten does not require supplies, but the teachers always have a “wish list” on meet the teacher day for things like kleenex and snacks. The list for my 4th grader is not terrible, but they are requiring 5 pkgs of 20 pencils (a little over the top, don’t ya think!?). Not expensive, but I will NOT be sending more than one pkg. I don’t mind donating to underprivileged children, but there are several organizations here that already do that, and I won’t do it through a “required” list. I donate through those organizations. I am sure to plaster my daughter’s name on everything! They ask for 2 boxes of crayons, but I usually send one box at the beginning and a new box after Christmas. (Of course I send another if daughter asks for them. They are 30 cents a box right now, so I stock up). I understand where the teachers are coming from, as I am a school nurse. I usually have to purchase some of my own things, too.
I didn’t read all the comments, but we’ve had requests for this and more….even babywipes and hand sanitizers. Then around Christmas time or maybe before, they request about half the list again – things like Kleenez, hand sanitizer, paper, etc.
Wow, that is quite ridiculous!People in our area would not be able to afford all of that stuff. All the boys have to bring a thing of baby wipes and the girls ziploc bags. We don’t have to get copy paper of any kind or dry erase markers or dry erase cleaner or garbage bags. We only have to bring one binder with dividers and one pack of crayons. It sounds as if you are suppling office supplies for the whole school. I am from Mississippi and I would call this list very extreme!!
I am too having an issue this year with the school supply list. My first grade list called for (8) Jumbo Elmer’s glue sticks and (6) Small. My school also wanted $86 for the school supply boxes. That to me is insane! I opted to buy the supplies on my own. I have so far spent half that ammount by just checking the sales. I also have a problem with teacher’s requesting BRAND NAME products. WHy should I pay $1.79 for a large glue stick when I can pay .25 for a store brand? As a couponer, i am used to buying what is on sale. I never pay full price for anything! In this economy, free choice should prevale.
our school supply bags from the school were only $25 dollars and that was for everything. I opted to buy them myself and spent about $16 dollars.
I am a teacher and I have seen a lot of people complaining about teachers requesting specific brands of products on school supplies. We are not doing it to try and buy you a more expensive product. We have reasons behind our requests. Often we request Crayola Crayons as they tend to break less easily, no one likes to use broken crayons! Also many of the other cheaper crayons are not as obvious as to which. For example, I had a Kindergarten student who brought Barbie crayons to school. Every crayon had the exact same wrapper, the wrappers did not match the crayon like Crayola ones do. When papers call for specific colors to be used, it was impossible to know which one was purple, black and blue. Even more difficult when you are just learning your colors. Some marker brands have caps that are harder to get on than others, and we all know what happens to markers with out the caps on them. Also, cheap colored pencils and regular pencils tend to break more often and not sharpen the the correct way, or the lead actually falls out when you sharpen them. All of these would actually cost you more money in the long run by buying the cheap ones at first because you will have to replace your childs supplies more often and pay more later when supplies are not on sale.
We overbought last year and actually didn’t have to spend that much this year. We had found a lot of the school supplies for REALLY cheap (like $.05 each) and stocked up. We only needed kleenx this year. Our Wal-mart normally does great clearance deals in September and we will stock up for the next year.
OMW that’s huge! We may spend $10 on each kid and that includes new backpacks and the “teacher items.” We were concerned it was too small and we called the school and they said that they can’t ask for more because of the current economic situation. The school received a huge grant to help pay for supplies.
Here is my 2nd grader’s items:
1 zippered supply bag
3 dozen pencils
2 packages of pencil-top erasers
1 box of 24 crayons
1 highlighter
4 dry erase markers
1 pair of scissors
4 glue sticks
2 boxes of Kleenx
1 large bottle of hand sanitizer
my 4th grader’s is the same in length.
Our school also requests $3 for party fees for the year and a donation with each party. So maybe $10 extra throughout the year.
That is ridiculous – doesnt the school provide anything anymore. I know the PTO at our school use to provide these types of items and then last year someone on the board decided it wasnt necessary anymore. I know they have to cut $ but from working in the school I know supplies is not their biggest waste of $$.
Yes, my daughter starts 1st grade, we live in NJ, and her list is comparable. But no $20 donation requested. This is the first year the school has given a list, as with all of the school budgeting that was done (thank you Corzine), they pulled money out of supplies in order to save a few teachers. As a couponer, I have already made great progress for pennies on the dollar!!
Oh my goodness!
Neither of my children are school aged but I’m shocked by how this seems to be the norm. I’m only shocked because I had no idea what a school list might entail and was thinking back to my school days when a spiral notebook and pack of crayons was about it.
It’s amazing that much stuff is requested but I can also understand with budget cuts that teachers cannot provide these things out of pocket either.
I think I’m going to start stock piling school supply items now!
I was thinking the same thing as you. If we start now then we could be prepared for what is to come a little better than waiting till the last minute!
My son’s list looked pretty close to that last year when he started Kindergarten and his 1st grade list looks pretty much the same. It’s more than we’ve gotten for our older two in the past but not much more. Although it is a lot – thier education is the most important thing so I do what I can when I can. Like others, our teachers aren’t coming down on parents who don’t send everything and sometimes us parents get together to see if we can get donations to the school to help.
On the other hand, if things are questionable (permanent markers, scissors not age appropriate, etc) – you should question them – it could be an error.
That is almost identical to my two boys. Plus, they have about 5 more items for their “specials” teachers: science, music. Crazy I tell you!!!! I try to stock up when I can buy\t there is always something that pops up as the school year progresses.
We live on like 1/8th of an acre (I think. Our front and back yards aren’t that big) and our property tax is $400 a year. :-O
We live in NY and our property and school taxes are $4000.00.
I think the list around here are similar maybe a little shorter. We homeschool so we have to buy everything ourselves. I wish we could get a tax write off for the books and other supplies.
We live on 1.5 acres and we pay I believe, $800 a yr for property tax. It’s figured into our house payment so we don’t actually receive a bill for it.
This is a normal list. I will have a 5th grader and a third grader this year. Every list i have gotten has had brand names and you can not get any other kind. and i think my list might be a bit longer. I know they want more than 1 box of kleenex. To me i have to buy all of it, i don’t want people looking at my kids the first day without any supplies. I’m sorry but i think its horrible that we have to buy all of this plus a donation. I am a single mom raising them on just my paychecks (which isnt much) plus yous till have to buy back to school clothes and shoes.. Just not right
Teachers have families and kids that they have to support too…as well as providing back to school clothes & supplies for their own children. And a lot of them are single parents as well. In a perfect world, the school would have money to pay for this stuff, but unfortunately most of our tax dollars get spent elsewhere. And in the end if we don’t send it with our children, the teachers pay for it all.
And as far as the cleaning supplies, with the H1N1 and all the other sickie bugs that get spread like wildfire in the classroom, wouldn’t you want to help your teacher keep your child’s classroom as germ free as possible???
Having a back to school supplies list is all part of having kids…yes, kids are expensive. Maybe people should start seeing teachers as people just like themselves struggling to make it too. Everyone is so willing to help others & donate supplies they’ve gotten for cheap or free, but when it comes to contributing for their OWN child’s education you all complain about it…I don’t get it!
I see your point to a point. A lot of people have no idea about the way we all coupon on here. I didn’t know about this level of couponing until 2009. It was like a whole new world opened up. And yeah, I would love to help the teacher keep away all the sick germs and stuff when my kids are school age…but let’s face it I am not made of money to do it non stop.
I am Athiest, so hopefully no one here will belittle me for what I am about to say (I’m not putting anyone down when I say this), but I think that people should donate a little more to the stuff that concerns kids (like school for example) than donate to churches all the time.
I know back to school list come with the territory of having kids, but I also didn’t have kids so I can pay for my kids supplies, other kids’ supplies, the teachers supplies, and then pay taxes for them going to school. Some of that is my responsibility and some of it is in the systems hands.
I think the beef should be taken up with the gov, state, and county.
As a teacher, my guess for the garbage bags? Lice prevention! Everytime my daughter’s class or a class in my building had a case of lice, kids are asked to put coats and bags into garbage bags to prevent the spread. As for wipes, no budget in my school for that…they clean with their natural stuff at night ;(no chemicals) but no wipes for is during the day unless we supply them!
I am a secondary teacher and have never required my students to bring anything other than paper and a writing utensil. However, we were instructed this year to create a supplies list that students should bring in. I guess I”ll have to put some thought into that.
It looks about like the ones we have except for the copy paper and garbage bags. This year however, we are being asked to send in money for the teachers to purchase all the the supplies for the year. $35 for one child and $40 for the other.
I can’t imagine just handing over that much money to my daughers teacher! We are on a tight budget and I could buy SOOO much stuff for that money, I don’t think I’ll be handing over cash if DD’s school asks!
Our list is about the same. However, the teacher will have a “wish list” in the classroom when we get there with additional items. It is customary to just pick one those items – it’s completely voluntary. Never been asked for a donation like that before, though.
We don’t have supply lists. None of the schools around the los angeles area do but it may be a state law that you can’t require this stuff. But, when the kids get to class in jr high or high school they sometimes tell them they need bookcovers or a certain notebook but we have never seen any lists for any of the school districts around here. At open house, they ask for donations and list specific items sometimes but it is always just certain parents that want to bring in the stuff. When I bring in a ream of paper, they always like it!
Wow, that is a lot. I would wait until the first day of school, get the obvious basics and wait to see what the teacher really needs for the class. I know that teachers only get so much money to spend on their class and then it is out of their pockets. My mom never went by the lists from the school and always waited until I brought the list home from the teacher or talked to them herself. It was always different than the generic school list. Some of those supplies are not for student use, but for teacher use, like dry erase markers and board cleaner.
Yes the list is long but seems to be the average. I never complain anymore since I have visited and helped at our local school. I saw plenty of kids that could not afford the whole list so some of the extra does get passed around. I also understand brand specific, teachers are with these kids all day all school year so they know what products work better and what products will not destroy school property (ex. expo markers will wash off boards some of the generic markers I tried stained our white board) Teachers in my opinion are way under valued. Some teachers have to be a parent, a teacher, a counselor, a nurse, a nutrition manager all why they manage 20 or small people for 8 – 10 hours a day. So yes it is a lot and yes it is over whelming but if it makes their day a little easier I am all for it.
Thanks Dana for the support! It is a lot of work, but the students are definitely worth it! :)
Yes, Dana, thanks for the support!!! I am still reeling from the “spoiled” comment earlier, so your post soothed me. :-)
Thank you so much for all your input! I’m glad to know that I am not the only one with a list like this.
I like the idea of writing her name on everything. I want the teacher to know when she uses the supplies that Emily brought it.
I am soooooooooooo glad that we coupon and stockpile. I feel bad for the parents that don’t and have to buy all those items at regular price. Ouch!!
I’m so glad I still have 2 more years until my son is in school too. Man oh man!
as a teacher (for several years) i’m torn. would i have LOVED to have all those supplies..yes, but it does seem extreme. But on the other hand…I can’t tell you how much money I shelled out on my own for things..but it comes with being a teacher and I think we all go into it knowing that. but i did want to warn you that putting her name on it will do you no good. the teacher won’t look twice. trust me =)
My list specifically says DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILDS NAME ON ANYTHING in bold.
I’m a teacher(K & 1st) and in our county, on the supply lists, they put astricks by the supplies that need the child’s name. Usually, it’s the backpack, coat, rest towel, crayon box, and lunch box. I had a parent, my first year of teaching, put her child’s name on EVERY SINGLE crayon, marker, pencil, etc. All it caused was fights! The minute another child came acrossed her supply, a fight would start!
I was actually shocked how little ours was. I have already been buying with sales, and none of the stuff I have bought is needed. Of course. LOL! But I will keep them for other years.
That list is MASSIVE!!!! Definitely puts your skills to the test!
You really don’t want me to tell you what I think of this list. I would be banned from your blog.
But as a former teacher and parent..I hate these list. They ask everyone for more then their own share so they can compensate for those parents who don’t provide their share.
…And I will stop there!!!
HAHAHA Patti I would never ban you from the blog. :)
I have to agree with you…as always, I will send in all the items requested, but I am sure there are a good chunk of parents who won’t. So, I get to make up the difference. (and the few other parents that do). VERY frustrating.
Kristin,
Do you fall in the Mtn. Brook school system? McAdory’s list is very short compared to this. If you fall into Mtn. Brook, it looks like they just assume that you have the money that comes with Mtn. Brook and doesn’t take into account that not everyone that lives there are drs.
I wish we were in the Mtn. Brook school system. I hear it is one of the best in the state!
Hey Kristin! I teach third grade, and we really tried to narrow down our “requested supplies” list this year with the economy, however we couldn’t take off as much as we wanted because we not only aren’t getting our usual raise, but we may not be getting supply money at all! We did, however, take off about a third of what we normally request. This is tough when all of last year’s students used up the glue sticks and now I have to request more, but hate to ask parents to fork over the money! That list is exceptionally long, it sounds like your daughter’s school needs to talk to community businesses to get some monetary donations or possible school supply donations. Our community is always willing to help, we are very blessed! :)
That list is insane!!! Oh how I love home schooling!!
Totally extreme
WTH?
And $20 donation, seriously???
Wow…very sad our schools cannot provide some basic classroom essentials. My kiddos are still young, but I’ve been seriously thinking about homeschooling. After reading this, I think the homeschool column gets another check in it!!
That’s just the beginning…you will get good use out of you stockplies of cleaning, soap, paper goods…go ahead and save it now ‘cuz you will get notes all year asking for a little of this and a little of that…
That is a crazy long list!!! My son’s lists used to be long, but not that long. Now that he is going into 7th grade, his list is significantly shorter. But, he is required to have a 1 1/2 inch binder for EACH class, not sure that many binders would fit in his backpack!
I don’t think the student supplies list is ridiculous, but I think the teachers may be pushing their luck with the classroom supplies. The school should have enough funding for necessities like trash bags and paper towels! Even if not, I think a wish list would work much better for those things. I did three bake sales for my college in the last year, and two of those were “donation only.” We made so much more money because people didn’t feel obligated to give a specific amount. I always get irritated with car washes that demand a specific dollar “donation”; I’m much likely to give more if I don’t feel like I’m being pressured to do so.
I also don’t understand the need for name-brand items. Not only is it unfair to require parents to pay (potentially) extra for certain things, but I don’t think it sets a good example for the kids on what makes a good product. I rarely asked for name-brand things when I was younger because the less expensive items worked just as well. I can see the desire to make the items uniform so that kids don’t get picked on for not having the “right” brands, but this is the attitude that sets them up to be mocked later!
My son misses the cut off which is September 1st – his birthday is September 18th. So my husband and I decided to place him in private 3 year old preschool, since he can’t start pre-k yet. We haven’t gotten our list yet – but from some of the other mom’s who had their children there last year. I’ve heard in addition to normal supplies – they need silk flowers (for a mothers day project), a pack of white copy paper, a pack of color copy paper, $25 ink charge (jaw drops), a pillow case, a mat. I’ve also heard they are particular picky about the “brand.”
I hate to break it to them, but I am particularly picky about where my dollar goes :)
I am a preschool teacher and we make Mother’s Day projects with silk flowers that I purchase on my own. It seems funny to have you purchase flowers for your gift!
Also my list consists of a few things (no specific brands):
-1 box crayons
-1 box markers
-1 package baby wipes
-2 glue sticks
– roll of paper towel
– box of tissue
– backpack
-1 package copy paper
– liquid soap
– hand sanitizer
I have approx 30 – 40 children split between two programs and I usually have products left over at the end of the year. This year I took hand sanitizer off my list because I still have at least 20 bottles (some parents donated extra because of H1N1). It seems like if the teacher wants pens, sharpies, trash bags, etc. for their personal use it should be under “optional” since some families simply cannot afford it!
Is that the list at Walmart or from the school. I know that our school never gave them a list, but they still had a list of items we didn’t request on that display at the store
I don’t have anyone in school yet (currently pregnant with my first) but I don’t understand some of the items on the list. Do teachers/schools not get provided with anything? Two that stick out are the Expo markers and cleaners, garbage bags….it seems like those (especially garbage bags) would be provided by the school. Are they being used for a craft project or something?
I remember we used to have to bring a box of tissues to school and maybe a box of pencils, but can’t really remember any other requirements back then.
I understand about the expo markers. Most school have gone to dry erase boards instead of the standard chalk board. It does not take very long at all to use up one marker when you use them 5 days a week for 5 or 6 hours a day. Teachers now get very little to supply their rooms with. My SIL spends hundreds at the beginning of every school year to get her room ready.
As a teacher at a Title I school, that means lots of kids are on free and reduced lunch, I am allowed to ask for $10 worth of supplies on my list, that’s it. I get $20 from the county (this is my budget for the WHOLE year of supplies) and $35 from PTA, everything else comes out of my pocket. Yeah, I got the pencil boxes at Target for .50 to serve as crayon and marker holders, but when I’m also buying the crayons, markers, colored pencils, notebook paper, backpacks for some kids, and pretty much everything else needed I have a hard time sympathizing with parents. Granted I don’t have kids of my own yet so I don’t know that’s like, but I know I spend about $300 to get my classroom up and going just with supplies each year (not including bulletin boards, manipulatives, treats, etc). Then, throughout the year I buy more paper, pencils, tissue, hand sanitizer, copy paper, etc. I also pay for many of my own copies since we are limited to 400 per month, with 30 kids that doesn’t go far when I am required to send a newsletter home each week, copied only no email since most of my students’ families don’t have a computer. With the economy the way it is, it is a sign of the times, I’m taking a 2% pay cut and 10 furlough days this year but at least I have a job.
Jennifer…it’s teachers like you that do need the raise because you are care about not only your job, but the kids reguardless of that kids income. If my son had you as a teacher (but he’s only 17 months old) then you would make me want to donate what I could to help you out. I don’t have much, but I would do what I could. I hate that good teachers have to suffer because of the state/county are —holes and spend the money in the wrong places.
The lists for each of my children (K and 5th grade) were this long (minus the last bit that looks like a teacher wish list). The $20.00 over the top is ridiculous. I am also a future teacher, and I still think it is way too much. Try using Staples rewards and rebates in addition to the sales at Walmart etc. Also try buying online using Swagbucks. For the cleaning type products, shop all year for great deals and freebies. Good luck with filling your lists.
That is a very long list. I remember when my kids were in public school before I pulled them out to homeschool that their teachers were asking for almost just as much plus a room fee. I told them that I wasn’t paying the room fee because that is what my tax for registering my car and my tags go for.
I am now a homeschool mom and have been for 3 yrs now (we started back to school this past Monday). And I totally don’t understand why the teachers need all of the supplies. I roughly spend $10-30 a year for all of my kids combined. That includes pencils, paper, printer paper, etc.
Was this list from your actual school? Or a list that a store put together hoping you’ll buy their stuff? I’m not sure why your list asks for three boxes of crayons or why in general the list is specifying brands.
I am a teacher and I can say the student supply list looks pretty normal, except for asking for specific brands.
The classroom supply list is a little crazy. I can see asking for tissues and Germ X since those are things that schools tend to forget that kids overuse when ordering the year’s supply. With all the germs that go around a classroom, specifically the lower grades where kids aren’t as self dependent to remember to wash their hands, the Clorox Wipes make sense as well. However, I don’t see why you should be providing garbage bags for the classroom.
That looks about right, although I have never seen garbage bags on a list. But it seems kinda silly to have THAT much supplies all at the begining of the year. Perhaps they should cut it in half and then at mid term send a list stating what needs replenishing. The ony problem with that is this is when all the good school deals are. I always buy extra stuff to hold onto becuase they always are needing notebooks around March. I also know that the teachers do spend a lot of money out of thier pocket to go towards stuff for teh classroom, So at teh begining of each year I put together a teachers welcome back basket with different stuff they can use, like post it notes, stickers, pens, awards, flash cards, paper, markers. I usually spend about 10 bucks o n each teacher, and I find a lot of this stuff in the dollar section at target or at the dollar tree. The teachers are always very happy about thier basket. I do the same at the end of each year too. Just a little thank you for what i consider being one of the most important jobs there is.
Wow! This list totally shocked me! I think I would flip out if I received a list like that. My daughter is going into kindergarten and she just needs the regular school supplies like crayons glue scissors tissue and drawing paper. I guess different parts of the country are just in different positions on this. I live in Texas.
This is about what my kindergarten kid has on her list. A bit ridiculous I think! But in our area there is a disclaimer on the list that the schools may request the items, but they are not required. So folks who send in the items are basically subsidizing those who don’t.
I’ve been getting supplies through Office Depot matching rebate items with the $10/$25 coupon for free items!
The school supply list seems normal, but the classroom supply list and teachers list seem a little overboard. I have 5 children and once they hit middle school, the lists are more like a guideline. Also, I have had teachers request to NOT send a certain brand, but for the most part brands are not that important, (kind of like when you say, “Could you pass me a Kleenex?”, when you really just want a tissue.) I would call the school with any questions about brands. Sometimes it may be due to an allergy.
I agree that this is absurd and I just stopped teaching this year. I taught at a poor private school where we even had to have students buy their novels (high school English) and even though we knew most parents were very comfortable, I could not have imagined asking for this much. And for the record, even though it was high school and I had 150 students, I was happy to purchase markers and glue, etc for my own classroom. And germ x. And Kleenex. And Clorox Wipes. Those teachers sound spoiled and unrealistic. They should have a drive and ask for donations instead of demand all of those supplies from EVERY parent. They are not expecting everyone to bring all of that so the responsible parents are being punished. I love donating school supplies but would rather be asked for a donation than have it demanded of me. Maybe I’m wrong, but it feels more respectful that way.
HO-LY–COW! That is a ridiculous list! Guess it goes to show how desperate our schools are – they can’t even buy their own trash bags anymore. Sad.
Your list looks pretty normal…And I must say, how disappointed I am, as a teacher how many parents fuss about the supply list. Public education is not free…and if you are unable to afford supply items, there are programs to help. Why are parents not interested in providing for their child’s education? The state/county can’t do it all….Step up, be a parent, provide for your child’s education and go on.
I understand that they state/county can’t do it all. But, every person in the county pays taxes to pay for the school…even those who send their kids to private school. It seems to me that the schools/teachers are starting to get a little greedy.
Can someone explain to me why the teacher needs 30 boxes of ziploc bags?
Just wanted to add my two cents on perhaps why the teacher “needs” 30 boxes of Ziploc bags. I have a high school sophomore and a 3rd grader this year, so we’ve been filling supply lists very similar to this for many years. On top of that, we’re a military family, so we’ve got experience from school districts in half a dozen states. (And yes, in our experience, this is not that unusual for a public school, except for the additional cash fee donation request. Louisiana (current location) is the first state we’ve had to pay up front for something nonspecific like this and we have a $25 fee, not called a donation, PLUS a $5 “party” fee.)
Anyway, back to the why. In my opinion, it is because a teacher will NOT receive 30 boxes. Some folks will not bother reading through the list and many others simply cannot afford to send in these items and won’t.
I think the idea of a wish list or optional items list is a much better way to go about getting these things, but that’s also just my personal opinion.
I think paying $5000.00 a year in property taxes which $3000.00 goes to our schools is quit anuff. I don’t even have kids in school. My question to you April is what if the family can not afford it? I say provide what you can.
I always provide for my childrens education and normally don’t complain but I just can’t justify the cleaning supplies. Some parents can’t afford it. One friend has 4 kids in school this year and a husband that is a truck driver and sends home VERY little to support his family. I just got back from getting a portion of my kids supplies and spent $70. Not to mention that my SIL teaches and even she thinks some of the stuff they ask for is redicilous!
Those cleaning supplies keep the germs in the classroom at bay so hopefully those germs aren’t spread around the classroom getting all the kids sick! If you can’t afford it, than don’t send it…but if you can & send them.
I always send in everything (some things I send more of such as the Germ-X) on my kids list plus we ask for a list of what ever else the teacher may need. We have also bought most of the supplies for our above mentioned friend. My husband and I are lucky to be able to afford most of the things our kids want. I still can’t see sending trash bags to school. And why does a 7th grader need ziploc bags? I can understand some of the lower grades where there may be a child who has an “accident”. I don’t mind giving anything to someone who teaches my children but I do have a problem sending in so much that you are supplying children who has parents who can afford it and will just not buy the stuff. And believe me it happends more often than never.
Um, would you rather your chilld have the Flu, virus, cold, lice, or anything of that nature? If there were no cleaning supplies your child would come home with all of these. At the school I work at we have no janitorial service. We have a parent that volunteers and cleans the public parts of the school. Teachers are responsible for their own rooms and bathrooms. So in most cases, that is why there are cleaning supplies on the list. Common sense people, really!
April- You took the words right out of my mouth! Agreed 100%!
I am a Preschool Teacher and I can testify that teachers do spend alot out of their own pocket. But I would say that your list looked pretty long especially with the school charging another $20.00 on top of that.
My daughter goes to a private school for Kindergarten mainly because it is the only one who does full day. Our public schools do half-day. The school is REQUIRING that we pay $35/quarter for school supplies. That is $140 which to me is just insane. They say that they are going to this instead of sending out supply lists so they can make a profit and don’t have to raise tuition. I am so glad this is her last year at this school. Her tuition is already $150/WEEK!
Wow my children go to a private school and we pay 100/month for the first child and 75/month for the second they do require a small school list but nothing major other than that everything is provided.
I teach K4 at a private christian school and it is $3000 a year for a half day, and $4000 a year for whole day. Not to mention the application fee of $125, if the child goes to morning or afterschool care. They also require 10 community service hours or pay $250. Non of that includes field trips, replinishing supplies, or lunch. So you gals have it cheap!
This is about what our lists look like minus the garbage bags but my son that’s going into K this year needs 24 (yes, twenty-four) glue sticks on top of everything else! Since his class size is small we’ll also have to provide snack once each month.
The lists are about right. I have had to provide these kinds of things (with the exception of the trash bags, germX and soap) for 9 years now. Although the teachers with shorter lists ask for money with minimum supplies while those long lists usually don’t ask for any money. It gets worse when they hit middle school with calculators and flash drives. Be sure to put their name on everything including each crayon (a hint from our former first grade teacher). Then there are no fights as to whose crayon it is.
I’m a sub in my district and all supplies are “classroom” supplies. There is a group box on each set of desks and the kids in that pod mush share pencils, crayons, everything. It’s supposed to make it “fair” for the kids who can’t afford the nicer things.
This would have made me crazy as a kids as I had (still have) OCD and broken crayons and chewed on pencils send me over the edge!
OMG, that’s quite a list! But I liked seeing that Germ X and Clorox Wipes are part of it, esp since flu season will be here before we know it. My daughter’s school doesn’t ask for anything because they get donations from other sources. But I like to donate as well.
My kids’ lists have looked like this throughout their school years. My daughter’s school did change it last year where they couldn’t officially ask for the cleaning supplies but the teachers could ‘hint’ around for them. Since I get cleaning supplies so cheap, I make sure her class is stocked! My son is going into 8th grade this year and his list looks about like yours (but no cleaning supplies).
our schools here in Colorado have suffered major budget cuts so we have a list very similar to yours. We don’t have as much of the “teacher” supplies but my child’s first grade supply list had a lot more than your daughters.
When I lived in Ohio my kids lists were every bit that long and also asked for certain name brands and then an additional $20 supply fee per child. Now I live in Florida and the lists are a small fraction of that. I understand they need the supplies, but sometimes they are so picky about the exact items. One teacher requires the three inch binder with the clear pocket on the front- those are $10 each! A little crazy if you ask me.
I have a question for the more exp[erienced back to school mom’s. Do we have to buy the brand listed on the school supply list? Is it just a suggestion?
In my experience as a teacher, it is just a suggestion. You do NOT have to buy the brand name, you just buy what you can afford. They list the name brand (especially with crayons) because they tend to last longer than the dollar store brand. Crayola crayons are not as waxy as, say Rose Art. But you are not required to buy that name brand at all!
I wish it was that way for us! My daugthers teacher last year sent a nasty note home because I didn’t buy the brands she listed. I did get the crayola crayons, but I could not afford $4 for a pair of fiskar scissors when the target brand were $1. She was not happy at all.
I would complain to the principal or school district. (if its a public school) they can’t require you to bring in anything at all let alone the namebrand specific. It’s all suggested, but not required. After enough complaints our disctrict has fine print at the bottom letting everyone know the entire list is suggested but NOT required.
Mary, I agree with you. I do not request name brand items. it doesn’t mater to me, however crayons are another story. I prefer Crayola, because like you said Rose Art and dollar brands are way too waxy. But it is a preference not a requirement.
Ours asked to not by Rose Art because their stuff is not true to color.
I guess we are very fortunate!!! This is extreme to me. My child just needs a bookbag and lunch box!
Oh my! That is quite an extensive list. 3 boxes of crayons? Wow. The classroom list also seems really long. We get asked for Kleenex’s and crackers, haha. But I live in a very small town. Can you imagine trying to pay for all of that if you didn’t coupon or look for sales? It would be crazy!
Last year, when my son was in kindergarten, they asked for 12 boxes of crayons…this year the kindergarten asked for 6
That list is crazy! It makes it hard to WANT to donate supplies out of the goodness of your heart when they are REQUIRING you to purchase all of that. I don’t see any reason why schools/teachers can’t pay attention to sales/coupons like we do to purchase these items themselves. Sure we can say, “Wow, these colored pencils are only 9 cents this week, I can afford to bring 3 boxes”. But not all parents can do that. Teachers and schools should.
Several months ago Staples had an amazing deal on copy paper. I don’t know if you listed it on your site; I had not yet discovered you at the time. :) But, basically, I got 2 CASES of paper (20 reams) for $4! I had no problem at that point donating several reams to my daughter’s school. They were all shocked when I told them about the deal. But if schools paid attention to that stuff, these supply lists could be much more manageable.
Sorry if that was a bit passionate. I am a former teacher and now a homeschool mom and these kinds of things are just the tip of the reasons why I choose to homeschool now. So I can get a bit passionate sometimes! :)
My mom is a 2nd grade teacher and spends most of her evenings and weekends doing school stuff for her kids during the school year as well as part of her summer. We are in California and her salary is continually cut & they are way underpaid to begin with. She spends her summers trying to get caught up at home. And you want the teachers to look for deals with coupons. These teachers do so much for our kids, why not take some our time to find awesome deals with coupons and provide this stuff for cheap for them! And when schools are having to lay teachers off and have larger class sizes because they don’t have the funding, where is the money for these supplies supposed to come from??? (the teachers own pocket). And having larger class sizes means more kids. My mom will be close to 30 kids next year. What other jobs require you to pay out of pocket for your job??? Why complain about something that you can provide for pretty cheap with good deals??? Wal-Mart & Target has all this stuff for really cheap. I don’t agree with requiring specific brand or items though, that should be general. We probably spent about $10 for supplies for my child (aside from backpack/lunch box & reusing items from last year)…times 30 kids that is $300+ for a teacher to provide aside from the other supplies that teachers need. The more we can provide, the less the teacher has to provide TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN!!! We are all feeling the strain of this economy, but we shouldn’t expect our teachers to make up the difference!
I agree in part, but we also shouldn’t expect parents to supply the teachers with their OWN supplies. Things my child will use, definately! But pens, sharpie markers and things that are quite obviously for the teacher is another issue altogether! Besides, EVERYONE is having to do more with less, not just the teachers. Oh yeah…most of my best friends are teachers, so I am aware of how much they do for our kids and I don’t know that this was the dispute, but that is just my opinion.
I am also a teacher and yes I shop all the sales but that is for my own kids. I do buy my own pens/ markers etc. But other things like dry erase markers are things your child will use when working problems out on the boards,etc. Also sharpies are used to lable items or create posters. Every year I stock up but with 2 of my own kids I cannot afford to supply the kids in my classes especially because I have had over 100 kids in all of my classes. I start out every year with over 300 pencils from Staples penny deals usually and they are gone within a month. So as much as I dont enjoy buying the long list I dont expect my kids teacher to pick up my tab. I do ask if there is something hard to find if it is ok if they come in late, or if they really need it, but other than that I just go ahead and get everything right away. Its usually cheaper anyways.
Actually, my second grader was using sharpies and pens last year. Don’t assume they are for the teacher. I guess the only way to know what they are for is to ask the teacher why those are needed, the answer may surprise you!
I think that people are so focused on complaining about the lists that they are forgetting what these teachers do & that they have families & budgets of their own. I didn’t say that was up for dispute, just that it’s being forgotten…that’s all.
I don’t think the teachers should have to pay for the supplies out of their pockets either…but we sure do pay ALOT of taxes to the school district here and they get money from the government….I shouldn’t have to buy their supplies on top of all the supplies for my students. I have 4 supply lists to buy from, it does get VERY expensive. And I wouldn’t complain too much about the few extras in the list, except some of them are extreme if you ask me….like 10 expo dry erase markers!! Don’t get me wrong…I appreciate the teachers, but the schools should have a contract with supply places to get bulk items for cheap to meet their budgets!
I TOTALLY agree with Michellyn, and Amanda. Being a teacher I spent over $500 dollars out of my own pocket last year. Our school does not provide any teacher with cleaning, school, or art supplies. Nor do they supply the teacher with supplies, or money to buy supplies. I love to buy supplies, and have no problem with stocking up on them when they are on sale, or clearanced. What I do have a problem with is parents ASSUMING it’s ok to expect teachers to “pay attention to sales/coupons like we do to purchase these items themselves”, or to provide supplies for their children because “that what teachers should do”. Teachers spend so much on your children as it is, and do so much for their students when schools not in, that I would never expect any of this from my childs teacher. I don’t have kids yet, but when I do I will provide whats on the list plus more because I know that the teacher will have to pay a ton out of pocket for whats not provided.
I agree with Michellyn, Amanda, and Allison. As I’ve stated before, I teach school. My first year of teaching, I spent $1300 dollars providing for my classroom in one school year. I saved all of my reciepts for tax purposes. At the end of the school year, for the reciepts I KEPT, my total was about $1300. As for supplies left over, I had NO paper towels, kleenexes, baby wipes, or soap. I only had a few crayons, pencils, etc. left. What was left went toward the next school year.
actually, all the money that you are lead to believe that the schools are getting fromthe government, well thats a lie! they only recieve about 3,500 $ per student , per year, which when you look at it, truly isnt that much money, considering that the books for our children alone probably cost about 300.00-700.00$$ depending on the grade, state, county, and teacher. Especially when federal & state prison inmates are recieving about 35,000$ a year PER INMATE! So yes I do feel that we should contribute, however no i do not agree that it should be so extreme!
If that’s what the schools want, I am homeschooling forever! ;)
I can’t believe some of the items on that list. When I was younger we had to bring our pencils, binders, scissors, glue, and things of the like but never do I remember bringing any of that to school.
Yes, this is a typical list for my school district. But please keep in mind that no one is standing at the class door to make sure everything that is on the list is in the backpack the first day of school. No one needs to send everything in during that first week of school and no one is expected to fill the list if funds are limited. Schools do not want parents cutting into their grocery budgets for supplies. You can ask any school personnel and they will tell how tightly supplies are being handled by school districts now, with even our copies being counted on a weekly basis and all classroom supplies being doled out carefully by our bookkeepers. The crunch is being felt everywhere.
I have to disagree. I always send in everything on the list, but a few times, I have forgotten an item or two…(I have 7 kids, 4 of them are in school right now). But I always recieve a note from the teacher reminding me of the item/s that I missed. I do have issue with having to send dry erase markers…probably wouldn’t if the request was within reason, but my 2nd grader has 10 EXPO dry erase markers on her list….that seems a bit extreme. That would mean the teacher would get 200 dry erase markers if everyone in her class brings them. Now, I am not nieve, I know there will be several students who show up without them. But 10!! Wow…
Last spring when I did my kindergarten preview day at our local school(to put in a request for which teacher I would like my daughter to have) A lot of the classrooms had mini dry erase boards and all the students sat in circle time and used dry erase markers to practice writing words the teacher said out loud.
I know at our school the kids are learning to write on personal white boards. You might be suprised to find your child is actually gonna be using the dry erase markers.
when i was in kindergarten there were never requests like this. and we definatly werent using dry erase markers!
@Cristin- And what year were you in school? As a child in school during the late 80’s and 90’s, I remember using little chalkboards and chalk. Well we all know that chalkboards and chalk has been phased out, and now whiteboards and dry erase markers take their place. I AM A TEACHER, and yes most schools K-5th, and some middle/high will use small white boards and dry erase markers. They use these items in circle time, and center time to learn how to write. They are also used for math facts. So, even though they might ask for 10, just provided it knowing that they will get used. I mean really..I would just love for some of you to go to school with your child one day to see how many of the supplies you think “they don’t use”, “or the teacher keeps for herself” that they actually use. You would be surprised, and then kick yourself for being so rediculous about the issue.
I agree with Allison 100%. I am an elementary grade teacher as well. A parent would be amazed at the supplies that get used. You might see it on your child’s supply list, and think why? But, I am here to tell you that they DO get used! If you do have a question about a supply, then just ask the teacher! I do not mind parents asking me about the supply list! I want to help parents any way I can, and if that’s explaining the supply list, then I’ll do it!
I am at work and dont have the list with me. Our list is about the same. My son is entering 7th grade this year. Next year (8th grade) He will need a laptop computer for class, or he can rent one from the school at 40.00 per month. Its crazy what they want you to provide. I thank god that I shop all the back to school sales and buy when stuff is at a rock bottom price.
A laptop for middle school! I’m sorry but that school is out of their minds, that is asking for trouble. Granted I was in high school in the in ’90s, but we couldn’t carry our backpacks due to how many students were in the school.
And I thought our lists were long. We have never had to buy trash bags, clorox wipes, or paper towels. That just seems a bit over board. Even my SIL who teaches in a lower income school in a large district doesn’t request that much!
This list is really long. My son is going into first grade and needs about hald of this. Some of the “classroom items and teacher supplies” are on a wish list that parents don’t HAVE to buy but I ususally do if I find them cheap. I am a licensed teacher and we do put a lot of our own money into our classrooms and every bit from parents help. But your list is ridiculous!!!
I AM a first grade teacher, and our lists are not this long. We have a limit set by our city as to what we can ask for. I always list optional items and ask parents for donations of certain things (like markers, which the class shares and which run out by the end of the year.) You’re going to have to carry her bookbag to school for her with all that stuff!
I buy my own wipes, treats, and cleaning items. I also provide classroom pencils and glue for my kiddos. If special things pop up, I put wish lists in my newsletters. I cannot believe how much junk they are asking you to send in for your little girl. Our parents here would stage a protest!
PS…I cannot believe they require certain brand items! I list a couple on my optional list, but to require each child to have specific brand name supplies seems ludicrous to me. What if their parents can’t find that brand? Or afford it? I cannot believe your school system allows this!
That list is ridiculous! I have quite a few items on my son’s list but nothing like that. They are serioulsy asking for trash bags and Clorox wipes and soap??? Sounds like they are trying to get the parents to buy all of the cleaning supplies on top of already paying for them with taxes. I think I would call and complain about that list. That’s a little to much in my opinion.
This is my son’s list for 2nd grade.
2 single subject wide ruled notebooks
4 low-odor black dry erase markers
1 yellow highlighter
No. 2 pencils (No mechanical pencils, please.)
colored pencils (Twistables are preferred.)
2 big pink erasers and pencil top erasers
2 boxes of 24 count Crayola crayons (1 box for Music class.)
pointed Fiskars scissors
an inch/centimeter ruler (No Flex rulers, please.)
2 Elmer’s washable School Glue Stick Gel
2 packs of flashcards (1 addition and 1 subtraction)
2 red ink pens
2 blue ink pens
1 large box of tissues
4 packs of 3” x 3” Post It Notes
6 pocket folders with prongs
(1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1 orange, 1 purple)
1 pack wide ruled loose leaf filler paper (150 -200 sheets)
a small Spacemaker supply box
1 black fine point Sharpie permanent marker
1 box easy zipper Ziploc bags
boys—gallon sized bags
girls—quart sized bags
1 1” binder with pockets
**** optional—head phones to be used in the computer lab
I’m not sure where you are, but as a teacher I would never let a first grader use permanent markers or pointed scissors. Therefore I can’t understand why your list is requiring Sharpie markers. Also blue and red pens? In my school the students don’t start using pens until fourth grade.
I’m also surprised that your school is telling you to provide head phones for the computer lab. School computer labs should have headphones attached to every computer.
I don’t have children, but if I did, I would not want them using a community pair of headphones. Screams head lice to me.
the pens are probably for the teacher to use!! Same thing at our school…argh!
I am assuming by these replys that none of you have ever taught school. I am a 1st grade teacher and this supply list is the norm. Teachers already spend a LOT of money out of pocket for supplies. I think the parents should want to help.
I’m sorry, but this list is rediculous! 1st grade and they are already asking for this many supplies….. What is it going to look like when the children really start using these types of materials in 4th or 5th grade. So glad my children have completed school. Don’t get me wrong, I do not mind helping, but when I send supplies in that I can see are never used by my child, or I know the supplies are going towards other students whose parents do not bring in supplies, I have a problem with that…..
I feel the same way I send a lot of extra stuff and money every year and know my kids don’t use it and it goes to others which is fine. I also, feel sometimes like We are the only ones who pitch in. It drives me crazy. I know teachers spend a lot of money on things as well, but my property taxes keep going up as well. I pay 3.00 for my childrens lunches at school which I think is way to much, but yet again I know the extra goes to kids that can’t afford it. My community has a lot of migrants I am not racist but its hard for me in my head to have to pay for all of them even tho I suck it up and do because they are kids. I have no idea why I am ranting but anyway. I will still do all I can to make my kids life at school better. Have fun school shop-in
And please do tell how are you paying for migrant or did you mean immigrant children.? You seem a little ill informed AND racist.
Judge and be judged I am sure you are perfect Liz ,I also have immigrant children in our school,and their parents do not bring in what we bring in what is requested and use the stuff we supply …Tax dollars I pay should pay for this stuff, and if one has to do it all should. We also have to pay for a translator because their parents do not learn English. God help us just more dept for the schools and no tax base ,(just want everybody to pay their fair share),god knows they are not paying the taxes I am…
dd’s list for 2nd grade is about the same…it’s ridiculous but is the way it is now since there are so many cutbacks. It’s pathetic the money the state will spend on other things and not on our children’s education. AL isn’t known for it’s schools, but I am lucky that the one DD attends is a great school. I also know, as SIL is a teacher, that a lot of the multiples that are purchased go to underprivledged childrens whose family can’t afford supplies. Thats why big banks like Regions do the fill the bus campaigns. I guess knowing it helps others makes the dent not so bad, but it is sad when schools can’t supply what kids need. We have even been asked for copier paper!
That is one crazy LONG list!!! My boys don’t have to bring anything. At all.
We are asked to donate $5 per child at the beginning of the year for Kindergarten and then at the open house we are asked to “take an item” off the white board to bring into class later (things that are on your daughters list are written on slips and then stuck to the board. You should take at least one, I usually grab 3-4)
At Teacher Appreciation week we are asked to fil a basket or box for the teacher to replenish her school supplies.
All my boys have to bring is a backpack and a lunchbox. Not even a pencil more,
Yep, my son starts preschool and his list looks just like this. I think with the economy, teachers can’t afford to provide as much from their own pockets to the classroom so they look to share the costs with parents. I taught for a few years and you would be surprised how much teachers spend out of their own pocket for classroom supplies. Just a sign of the times I guess.