08.02.08
Back to School Supplies - How Much is Enough?
I know, the summer is only half over (or half begun for the optimists) but it’s hard not to notice the ads for discount school supplies in the Sunday newspaper. My 10 year old twins received their 5th grade “suggested school supply list” on their last day of school so it makes it a bit easier to pre-plan back to school shopping for that joyous day in September.
Last night I finally decided to read the list that has been posted on the refrigerator since June. After my eyes glazed over, I decided I would share this absurdity:
FIFTH GRADE SUGGESTED SUPPLIES - 2008/2009
Loose Leaf Binder
Loose Leaf Paper
Binder Dividers
Reinforcements
Assignment Pad
6 Marble Composition Notebooks
6 Pocket Folders labeled
Number 2 Pencils
Erasers
Blue and Black Pens
Red Pen or Red Pencils for correcting
Highlighters
Pencil Case
Pocket Dictionary
Pocket Thesaurus
Scotch Tape
White Glue or Glue Sticks
Scissors
Ruler
Protractor
Compass
Markers
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Index Cards
3 Book Covers
2 Rolls Paper Towels
1 Box of Tissues
1 Canister of Disinfecting Wipes
1 Bottle of Purell
Book Bag
$6 for Time for Kids Magazine
Aside from the magnitude and cost of this suggested school supply list, the first thing that struck me was the amount of paper they apparently need. Looseleafs, notebooks and folders for paper handouts? How much are these kids writing during the day? And I don’t mind supplying my children with their own supplies but classroom supplies like paper towels and disinfecting wipes? Shouldn’t the school supply that? Next, they’ll be asking for toilet paper.
Last year, they were required to bring 4 tennis balls with an “x” cut in them. We live next to a tennis court and have at least 20 tennis balls hit into our yard on a given day. But I figured this was for a back to school project so I bought 8 (well really 9 since they come in paks of 3) brand new balls. Little did I know since their classroom was now on the 2nd floor they were to be used as chair leg canisters to prevent the chairs from squeaking when they slid back and forth! So much for my brand new bright green tennis balls…could have used the dirty ones from the yard. But my point here is why is that my responsibility? Shouldn’t the classroom supplies be included in our taxes?
Well, I wish I had a grand total cost to share for the above supplies (and remember since I have twins we need to multiply the list times 2), but since it’s only the beginning of August I would like to enjoy the rest of the summer and keep my mind free from back to school as long as possible.
I’m not the type to travel from store to store getting in and out of my car and on and off ridiculous lines for discounts - as a full time working mom my time is just more valuable than the $10 I might save. And, that 12c Elmers glue “loss leader” ends up costing you full price on the looseleaf binder any way so what’s the point? My suggestion, go to Staples and make one trip. Don’t you agree?
Now back to that absurd “suggested” school supply list…think I’ll put it back on the fridge and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts :).
Stumble it!
Nataliya Yakushev said,
August 2, 2008 at 12:29 pm
My older one is about to start Kindergarten this fall and I am waiting for the list of supplies from her school. Thank you for the heads up on what to expect! Tennis balls fix for squeaking chairs at parents expense is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard!
CreditMom said,
August 2, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I always wondered why some schools wait until the first day of class to send out the list. Then you have to fight the crowds and it becomes so stressful. Hope your list isn’t too bad. Thanks for commenting!
VAlerie said,
August 5, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Isn’t it a bit scary that a lot of the stuff on this list is what used t be given out t kids by the schools? (I am desperately trying t avoid the phrase “back in my day.”) Some of this stuff is art supplies that we used to get. And why does each kid have to bring in 2 rolls of paper towels and diisnfecting wipes and gels? And yet we are paying way more in school taxes than we used to!! (sigh)
CreditMom said,
August 5, 2008 at 5:03 pm
My sentiments exactly. I’m sure they ask for more because they assume a certain percentage of the class will bring in nothing. Certainly if there are people that cannot afford it I am more than willing to pitch in and donate, however I truly believe this NOT to be the case in our school.
Rosie : ) said,
August 6, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Generally, we get our lists by mail a few weeks before school starts or the first day of school. It seems that the most we need to buy in our system (in the Ontario-Canada region) is for junior kindergarten. I’ve had to buy paint smocks, flushable wipes, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, kleenex, empty jar (for the PLayDoh), rug/towel for naptime, disinfectant wipes… I am probably forgetting a few.
While I agree that it seems like the parents are paying for many things and the taxes are higher (than back in our day
), kids these days also have access to many more disposable things, ie Wipes.
Schools also have to fight with overcrowding and not enough funds, and teachers do dip into their private money to buy stuff ( I have alot of relatives and friends in the teaching industry). It is a sad cycle, and I have no idea why nor what we *could* do in realistic fashion.
School-time is expensive, from the supplies you need to buy, to the school bags, shoes for gym and outdoors (they outgrow them so fast!), lunch bags, clothes… don’t even get me started on lunches…eeep!
ClixBanker said,
August 14, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Thank you for the solid info. I\’m book marking this site.
renee said,
August 20, 2008 at 11:32 am
While the lists have gotten longer, you are still spending less money then you would have to pay for your kids to be in daycare.
CreditMom said,
August 20, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Renee - you are right. My kids were in daycare from 4 months to 5 years old…enough for our day care provider to completely remodel and renovate her home, so you do have a point there!
followthatdog said,
August 20, 2008 at 5:37 pm
My sister is a high school teacher and many of the classroom supplies have been cut from the school budget since no one wants to pay property taxes. In order to save teachers and buy the necessary books, things like paper towels, klenex and dry erase markers are no longer provided. She ends up spending a small fortune of her own teacher salary to stock her classroom. I just get so frustrated with the “we don’t want to pay taxes” contingent screwing up the schools and sticking it to the teachers and ultimately the students. Enough on that rant.
It does suck that in the end, the parents are asked to fill in the gap. And that list is insane. I am not quite there yet. As I mentioned on Twitter, my son is heading off to a new preschool, their list was completely within reason. Although i do kind of wonder why they don’t just charge a bit more each month to stock the supplies instead of making me run to Target. I’m a fellow working mom, so I feel that time crunch.
CreditMom said,
August 20, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Well I must say it really stinks that the teachers should have to pay for school supplies out of their own pockets. That’s insane. The difference is where we live, the taxes just keep increasing - and by no small amount. We’re in the 8-10% range per year and we’re still given huge lists. The other thing that drives me nuts is often times the kids don’t use half of the supplies…just wish I knew in the beginning which have that was!