Why is my child's Title I/Head start program telling parents that they have to give$40 for supplies?

[Anonymous]

Not only are they asking for $40 for school supplies (pencils, glue, crayons, etc.) but they are also asking for 3 packs of paper and cleaning supplies.

I thought HeadStart supplies EVERYTHING my child would need-cots, pencils, tooth brush, glue, writing paper, etc. I thought that was one of the reasons all title I school preSPreK are now headstart. So that teveryone could get the Headstart benefits.

Any ideas on how I can draw attention to this without having my child blackballed?

Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

What school is this?

[Anonymous]

Jesus lady just drop the drama. I work in a prek classroom in a title one school. WE DONT HAVE VERY MANY RESOURCES. It's not like teachers are padding their pockets with this cash. It is directly for your childs education. If you truly can't afford it, then don't pay it. At my school there is a long list of requested items and I would say about 20% of our class didn't bring anything, 60% brought a few things off of the list and no more than 20% brought over half of the requested items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not only are they asking for $40 for school supplies (pencils, glue, crayons, etc.) but they are also asking for 3 packs of paper and cleaning supplies.

I thought HeadStart supplies EVERYTHING my child would need-cots, pencils, tooth brush, glue, writing paper, etc. I thought that was one of the reasons all title I school preSPreK are now headstart. So that teveryone could get the Headstart benefits.

Any ideas on how I can draw attention to this without having my child blackballed?

Thanks in advance

Asked for $40 or the stuff? There are volunteer organizations that provide backpacks and school supplies. Speak with the teacher or a parent liason and hopefully they can get your kid a donated backpack.

[Anonymous]

What school? Tell us.

If you can't afford it, this is really wrong.

Of coures, if you're one of the non-FARM families who is using free PS3/PK4 school, well, all I can say is karma is a bitch.

[Anonymous]

OMG - you are getting free freakin' daycare/preschool for your kid and your are bitching about $40.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG - you are getting free freakin' daycare/preschool for your kid and your are bitching about $40.

Seriously. People are amazing. Wouldn't babysitter or daycare or a nanny cost you at least that EACH DAY of the year?

[Anonymous]

Head Start programs are supposed to be for families in need. Now affluent families are securing spots for free PS. Go figure.

If you can afford the $40 plus supplies you should make the donations that are needed. Not all families can afford it. But you might have secured a spot over a more needy family.

If that is the case please don't make such complaints. Do the right thing.

[Anonymous]

I was on the LSAT last year working on budget issues. Apparently DCPS spent a lot of money a couple of years ago on a supply warehouse that is now bare. They warned multiple times that schools had better assume a greater budget allocation towards supplies. So OP here is the deal you can choose not to pay and if you can't you can't, but the the money is not there. If you can pay, do so because schools will need all they can get from parents, PTA's, grants.

[Anonymous]

Hold on people . $40 can be a LOT of money if you are living on a few hundred a week. That being said, I believe in everyone sacrificing at their level. Lady, pay what you can afford and feel a small pinch ($2? $5? $20?). It's what we all do. Then explain you can pay no more. There are many resources to support people/children who are truly, truly poor. And it's OK.

[Anonymous]

If you can find your way onto this board, you can find the $40. Otherwise, reference the other resources if you really can't find the $40. There is a tinge of entitlement to your assumption that HS should supply everything. Sorry. How about we trade? I'll pay your $40 and you pay our ridiculous daycare tuition?

Anonymous wrote:Not only are they asking for $40 for school supplies (pencils, glue, crayons, etc.) but they are also asking for 3 packs of paper and cleaning supplies.

I thought HeadStart supplies EVERYTHING my child would need-cots, pencils, tooth brush, glue, writing paper, etc. I thought that was one of the reasons all title I school preSPreK are now headstart. So that teveryone could get the Headstart benefits.

Any ideas on how I can draw attention to this without having my child blackballed?

Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hold on people . $40 can be a LOT of money if you are living on a few hundred a week. That being said, I believe in everyone sacrificing at their level. Lady, pay what you can afford and feel a small pinch ($2? $5? $20?). It's what we all do. Then explain you can pay no more. There are many resources to support people/children who are truly, truly poor. And it's OK.

Nope. Sorry no excuse. You as a parent need to provide for your child's school expenses. I am sick and tired of all the "school supply" drives and flat out refuse to contribute. Spend a little less each week on crap you don't need like getting hair done, getting nails done, video games, crap food, smokes, alcohol, and put the money aside. I know its such a shocker for parents that school starts again every year in September and the kids need supplies. This is why some schools are so crappy in our area - the parents can't even be bothered to buy their kids school supplies so its no wonder they can't be bothered to be any other part of their kids education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Nope. Sorry no excuse. You as a parent need to provide for your child's school expenses. I am sick and tired of all the "school supply" drives and flat out refuse to contribute. Spend a little less each week on crap you don't need like getting hair done, getting nails done, video games, crap food, smokes, alcohol, and put the money aside. I know its such a shocker for parents that school starts again every year in September and the kids need supplies. This is why some schools are so crappy in our area - the parents can't even be bothered to buy their kids school supplies so its no wonder they can't be bothered to be any other part of their kids education.

Amen, sister. It's enough. I can't stand it anymore. We work 3 jobs to keep our family going, and you'll never hear me complaining about something like this. Enough excuses. It's not getting anyone anywhere. If you can't focus enough to find $40 for your kids WHOLE YEAR of school, you shouldn't have kids. WTH?!

[Anonymous]

I have observed a few different models.
My child is in a charter that provides all the school supplies. We are asked to contribute tissues, paper towels and a few other items throughout the year. At the end of the year, this school does a supply audit. They see what they still have, and only order what they need.

On the other hand, I volunteered at a DCPS elementary in early June of last year. I cam across a lot of packages of un-opened books and other materials. Easily 2 PreS/PreK classes worth of books as well as manipulatives and other items.

I really do not think the school I helped clean knew they had these items - and even though I shared with the person who was coordinating the event what I found and I put them in a highly visible spot, I highly doubt that these materials are included in the plan for use this school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have observed a few different models.
My child is in a charter that provides all the school supplies. We are asked to contribute tissues, paper towels and a few other items throughout the year. At the end of the year, this school does a supply audit. They see what they still have, and only order what they need.

On the other hand, I volunteered at a DCPS elementary in early June of last year. I cam across a lot of packages of un-opened books and other materials. Easily 2 PreS/PreK classes worth of books as well as manipulatives and other items.

I really do not think the school I helped clean knew they had these items - and even though I shared with the person who was coordinating the event what I found and I put them in a highly visible spot, I highly doubt that these materials are included in the plan for use this school year.

Sadly, there is waste and redundancy in materials in some schools. That being said, not all materials are usable and what you saw might be outdated etc. The best help parents can give is to help with cleaning and organization. When everything is cleaned, labeled, and accessible (with a clear inventory list and sign-out) you can bet teachers will use it. Throw out or donate the unusable. Also, in schools you have a lot of 'sets' - like FOSS kits. Managing these sets and making sure they have all their components is very helpful and makes them more likely to be used. I'm not saying it's parents' responsibility, but teachers get awfully busy during the year and don't usually have a lot of time to explore and manage storerooms. That is a great place for parents to help.