Community Chat

[Abrowneyegirl]

Are back to school list the norm now or just in certain areas?

My friend (who is the Queen of thrifty shopping) has 3 children and each child has a different back to school classroom supply list based on age.

It is a list of things parents are expected to purchase to supply teacher with, from pencils to tissues and even cleaning wipes.

She completed one list and spent $208, she has 2 more to go, and she is thrifty and she bought the bare minimum.  I looked at the list and noticed it even specifies the brand name- no cheap crayons for this bunch.  !?!?

All this in addition to buying the supplies her own children like backpacks, paper, pens, calculator, etc.

What is really disturbing is we are in one of the wealthiest school districts in the state.  We have indoor and outdoor pools but can not supply cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer? .........wow

Is this the norm?

[I am still oxox]

Back to school? It is July 7 school here ended about 2 1/2 weeks ago

[Sooner]

These lists are totally out of control.  And yes, expensive things!

Those lists make me wonder when I hear about underfunded education, just what are they spending money on?  I cannot imagine how on earth any kid needs the extensive array of markers and colored pencils and colored paper and on and on that these lists have.  

And scissors?  What do they do?  Throw it all away at the end of the year?  

[Suziepeach]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

Back to school? It is July 7 school here ended about 2 1/2 weeks ago

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@I am still oxox school starts here (Cherokee County GA) August 1st. 

[I am still oxox]

@Suziepeach 

I am in Suburban NYC, school here starts a day or two after Labor Day

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@Suziepeach wrote:

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@I am still oxox wrote:

Back to school? It is July 7 school here ended about 2 1/2 weeks ago

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@I am still oxox school starts here (Cherokee County GA) August 1st. 

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[riley1]

@I am still oxox - back to school items have been in the stores where I am for about a month already. 

[Lisa Y]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

Back to school? It is July 7 school here ended about 2 1/2 weeks ago

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@I am still oxox    Thank you for saying this! As a teacher who finished 2 1/2 weeks ago, I would like to enjoy my time off before the Back to School buying frenzy. It’s like Christmas in July: what’s the rush? Does anyone really need to buy school supplies right now? 

I’m going to sit on my patio and read the newspaper and enjoy my vacation. (Rant over 😊)

[Suziepeach]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

@Suziepeach 

@I am still oxox , if memory serves me that's when we started back in the good ole cave days, LOL 

I am in Suburban NYC, school here starts a day or two after Labor Day

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@Suziepeach wrote:

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@I am still oxox wrote:

Back to school? It is July 7 school here ended about 2 1/2 weeks ago

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@I am still oxox school starts here (Cherokee County GA) August 1st. 

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[Abrowneyegirl]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

Back to school? It is July 7 school here ended about 2 1/2 weeks ago

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LOL, I asked the same question.

The list of supplies go out very early as many parents need time to shop/stock-pile the needed items.  My friend can not afford to spend several hundred dollars in school supplies all at once (I am sure many can not) she needs to budget it out over months.  The $200+ she spent to date was only for 1 of her 3 kids.  Add in clothes and shoes.....$$$$

When you look at the expensive of it, I think it is wise to give parents plenty of lead time.

[phoenixbrd]

The list is provided by the individual teacher...there is no norm and the list is merely suggestions.  Usually there are sales at the beginning of the school year and many of the commonly requested items can be found deeply discounted (also the Dollar Store provides school supplies).  A brand might be suggested by the teacher because they are a proven product....but if it creates a financial hardship, a brand name would not be a priority.  Teachers frequently spend their own money in the classroom and I would be happy to hear that they are providing a list to help children be successful in their learning in the classroom.  A wealthy school district does not always predict availability of supplies in the classroom.  This can also vary from school to school within a district, depending on how the school decides to spend the budget.  

Teachers work hard to create a productive learning environment for their students.     You might want to suggest to  your friend to go online and print out the National Standards for the grade level for her children.  This will give her information regarding the grade level expectations for the year and guidance for curriculum.  She could also make weekly visits to the library with her children to encourage their reading.  Both of these activities are free and will benefit her children.  She is being a good mom and is giving her children an example that an education is a priority.  Kudos to your friend for her efforts.