are school supply lists ALWAYS this bad?

[Anonymous]

OP again - I'm OK with getting lists in general. I know why we get them. I also would be OK if we were all asked to pitch in $50 or whatever to the supply fund if THAT is how they chose to deal with the communal supply stuff vs. lists. My MIL used to be a K teacher - I know how much she spent to set up her classroom every year.

I went to 5 stores, though, and was unable to find the super special crayons that were specified. I currently live in a different town in NoVA (we are moving at the end of the month) and went to a local store that had the lists of 7 or 8 of the local elementary schools surrounding it - they all asked for a normal box of crayons.

Any K teachers at GBW care to explain why the list I was given is so specific? It really just feels like a wild goose chase at this point.

[Anonymous]

Try again for the super special crayons as you get closer to the school year. Looks like they were cleared out and the store has to get more in. I had no trouble finding them at Michaels. Try AC Moore too.

I am not a K teacher at GBW, but know them, and they won't have a cow if your kid doesn't have them the very first day.

[Anonymous]

OP - Here are your Twistables ($4.75 plus free shipping). Hurry - there's only one left.

http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-52-7408-Twistables-Crayons/dp/B00178Q28S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1312826127&sr=8-3

PS - I do agree that they are a ridiculous requirement.

[Anonymous]

Oh for gosh sakes...$10 doesn't nearly cover what a child needs for the school year.

I meant I would buy my child's supplies and then contribute some reasonable amount (like $10) toward communal supplies for the classroom and/or for the few children in the class whose parents can't purchase the supplies. Of course I don't think I could buy all the supplies on the list for $10!

[Anonymous]

When my kids were at Potomac Elementary the school supply list was frequently more that $50 worth, even with coupons and sales. WTF!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were at Potomac Elementary the school supply list was frequently more that $50 worth, even with coupons and sales. WTF!

I forgot to add that this was to donated for classroom use, not for the DC's personal use. That was a separate list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - Here are your Twistables ($4.75 plus free shipping). Hurry - there's only one left.

http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-52-7408-Twistables-Crayons/dp/B00178Q28S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1312826127&sr=8-3

PS - I do agree that they are a ridiculous requirement.

Thanks. I decided after going to 5 stores that I was D-O-N-E with this list. I will be purchasing the PTA pack and calling it a day. I have too many other things to worry about with our upcoming move to be stressing over a school supply list.

[Anonymous]

Uh....the deadline for ordering a PTA is long past. They passed out the form in your Kindie orientation kit and gave you only a couple of weeks to order. Sorry.

Every year I think, heck, I'll just order my kit and save myself the hassle each August. Then I miss the June 1 deadline yet again and find myself on the Great Large Gluestick Hunt yet again. It always works out in the end though.

Wait until after your move, and try again. I think you'll have better luck. Hey, it's even possible to see the K teacher at Orientation (September 2nd) and shop that weekend. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

Do you have to buy the EXACT SAME THINGS (and brands) on the school list? For example, they ask for a certain brand name of baby wipes. Does it matter if I bring in another brand?

Seems like this is a stupid question (like duh, what difference does it make if it is the same kind?), but what do I know?

[Anonymous]

They ask for certain brands of things because in their experience, the quality is best. If you think that the baby wipe quality is no different then the brand they asked for---go for it.

For crayons, definitely stick with the Crayolas. Better quality.

Count me in as one who thinks the twistable crayon request is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They ask for certain brands of things because in their experience, the quality is best. If you think that the baby wipe quality is no different then the brand they asked for---go for it.

For crayons, definitely stick with the Crayolas. Better quality.

Count me in as one who thinks the twistable crayon request is ridiculous.

It is more so that I can't find the brand they want (who the hell sells "Rockline" brand baby wipes)? I ordered what I could from the exact list online, but some things just don't seem to exist on Amazon.com.

[Anonymous]

Again, go with the best available. And Tell the teacher that the requested brands are not available in this area.

[Anonymous]

What are they going to do to you if you send in the wrong brand of baby wipes? Seriously, what is going to happen?

I just get as close as I can to what's on the list & call it a day. My kids have done great in FCPS for the past 5 years even though there were 2 years that I never sent in the requested red pencils because I couldn't find them anywhere.

If you can't find something on the list, guess what happens. NOTHING. The teachers don't know who sent in what brand of paper towels or wipes or tissues - they just shove all 24 into a cabinet & use them throughout the year.

As for the school supply lists having the best brands, I'm not so sure. Last year the pencils that were on the list & that came in the PTA kits were total garbage. This was actually a source of stress for the kids in my 3rd-graders class b/c the kids couldn't sharpen them & the points kept breaking off. The parents ended up chipping in & buying a high-quality electric pencil sharpener as a gift for the classroom so the kids could sharpen these crappy pencils. And we're talking about pencils! There's not a lot of technology or craftsmanship involved. How hard is it to select a decent brand of pencils?

[Anonymous]

Check your school's PTA website regarding the deadline for buying a school supply kit. Our school's PTA (Chesterbrook) sells the kits in August.

[Anonymous]

The PTA kit has been great in that I don't have to search high and low for some obscure size or to have to buy a pack of ten of something just to be able to turn in two with my child's supplies. I know I prefer some quality brand myself and I would hope they select quality items for those kits, but so far the kits saved me time and possibly money too.

Teachers have been flexible over the years though. When I searched and searched for the large-size glue stick and never found it, I sent a pack or regular sized glue sticks with my child and the teacher was fine with that. I think they generally get it as long as you make some basic effort.

BTW, last year we found twistable crayons at a great price at Toys-R-Us. They had some kind of buy one, get two free or something crazy good like that. I don't think I'd ever buy school supplies at Amazon. I've seen some crazy crazy mark ups there. Too many third party vendors at Amazon. Unless you know the price is fair, I'd skip it. What about ordering online from Staples or Office Depot?