Ridiculous school supplies thread!

[Anonymous]

The drama is the seeming waste. Parents have no problems buying, and not wanting teacher to spend, but scissors can be re-used. And hearing about cabinets stuffed full at the end of the year.

I think it's like the typical DC budgeting process. Overask and spend spend so that you can keep getting the same amount or more. It's disturbing.

[Anonymous]

DD's list requested a red, green and yellow plastic folder. I searched everywhere for a yellow folder, couldn't find it, briefly considered going to a second store to look for it, realized that was a total waste of my time, and bought an orange one instead.

Next year I am definitely buying the kit. It cost me $48 to get the supplies and I forgot the hand sanitizer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't think of anything. I order our school supplies through the PTA. It's amazing!

What is ridiculous about a pencil sharpener and some play doh?

Why can't the classroom have a pencil sharpener that the whole class uses? That worked for my kindergarten class in 1990; it should work now.

You have no idea what actually went on in that class when you were a student.

+1. The pencil sharpener is the proverbial water cooler of elementary classrooms. Plus the electric ones break really quickly after only a bit of misuse. They cost about $35 through the MCPS warehouse. I have $200 of school money to spend on supplies for my classroom for the entire year. I need my pencil sharpener to last for at least 2 years. Individual pencil sharpeners, plus keeping the class sharpener behind my desk, help ensure that can happen.

Who said anything about an electric sharpener? How freaking lazy do you want kids to be that they can't hand crank a pencil sharpener nailed to the wall for DECADES? Those things are workhorses, and last forever.

I went through three of those "work horses" in my 8th grade class this year. Maybe they aren't made like they used to, maybe my students were exceedingly rough, or...? Anyway, the kids couldn't use it when it worked anyway. I'd give them a brand new pencil and it would be a nub. These were good kids who just couldn't figure it out.

I bought a zillion of the little sharpeners for the kids to use instead. Sanity, restored.

They're not. I wanted to buy one of these on Amazon for our house, but it looks like they are all now made-in-China POS's. Oh, how I miss those ones from my childhood...

My kid is starting immersion and needs not 1 but (2) computer headsets this fall. WTF?

[Anonymous]

Why all the complaints?

My daughter's entering 5th; my son starts K. The only K supply was a backpack (no wheels). The rest were donations - glue sticks, wipes, etc.

My daughter's list was extensive. By the time we paid, it was close to $60. But I let her pick out her supplies, which meant she chose some fancy designs.

I don't care. I want them to like school, and shopping for supplies should be fun. She's not in high-farms school. So donations are not an issue.

In other schools, however, less fortunate kids receive donations, as there's usually a bank of supplies.

So if you can afford it, why be so negative? Who cares how picky the teacher is? We're all different - with our own styles. Be grateful your child has supplies and is ready to learn.

jeez

Signed,
a teacher

[Anonymous]

The worst for me this year is the tape. Although I understand it.. it's weird.

When our oldest was in high school we were to send a package of photocopy paper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP -- here's my take on the very specific supply request... it is quite likely that the school/PTA arranged for pre-ordering school suppply kits from Staples. When they pre-order, they want the teachers to be VERY specific about the item that Staples has to put into the kit otherwise, Staples can put the lowest quality product into it. So, the teachers probably don't care if your child gets a pencil sharpener from Staples... they just want him/her to have a small pencil sharpener.

As for crazy things I cannot find... plastic two-pocket folders NO Brads, but must have three-hole punch! (and orange, red, yellow, blue and green are needed). I understand the colors b/c they use different ones for different subjects. But, I am pretty certain these do not exist (at least not at Target or Walmart). I ended up finding plastic 2-pocket folders with no brads at Target and I used my paperpunch (at home) to punch three holes in each one. (not entirely easy b/c paper punches don't like plastic!).

Anyway -- there is no way most of the kids at an AAP center are going to have what was listed in the supply list.

Other ridiculous requests from previous years --- 18 (!!!) glue sticks (large). Seriously -- what in god's name are these kids doing by going through TWO large glue sticks PER MONTH??? That's like $20 in glue sticks ALONE for ONE kid! Plus, those glue sticks don't even work. Why can't they just learn to use Elmers glue like the rest of us did so that it actually STICKS. And maybe they should spend less time glue-ing and more time learning to write words/sentences?

There were tons of these available at the Target and OfficeDepot near me (I'm far out though, in Prince William county, VA) I was having a hard time finding the ones that don't have the brads OR the whole punch--just plain, in the specific colors they wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids pre-k list is all cleaning supplies: no markers, no crayons, no pencils. Why can the school provide those things, but not cleaning supplies? (Or, worse, they won't be using those things?)

Don't send it in. No way do I send in cleaning supplies and things (and I'm a teacher). If the teachers at that school feel they need to provide things that run out, it's their job to approach the principal / school board with rebudgeting concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why all the complaints?

My daughter's entering 5th; my son starts K. The only K supply was a backpack (no wheels). The rest were donations - glue sticks, wipes, etc.

My daughter's list was extensive. By the time we paid, it was close to $60. But I let her pick out her supplies, which meant she chose some fancy designs.

I don't care. I want them to like school, and shopping for supplies should be fun. She's not in high-farms school. So donations are not an issue.

In other schools, however, less fortunate kids receive donations, as there's usually a bank of supplies.

So if you can afford it, why be so negative? Who cares how picky the teacher is? We're all different - with our own styles. Be grateful your child has supplies and is ready to learn.

jeez

Signed,
a teacher

That's great for you. Now imagine you have twins with that same 5th grade list, or a 5th grader and other kids in graders a bit higher and lower.

In other words, get out of your bubble, use your brain, and think about what's really necessary in a classroom and what is fluff.

-- another teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those classroom sharpeners can "eat" pencils. As a first grade teacher, I sharpened them for the kids. It was better for the pencils and cut down on wasted time.

Please, won't someone think of the pencils?!

I always avoided buying pencils made in china. Typically didn't have issues with the ones made in the USA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why all the complaints?

My daughter's entering 5th; my son starts K. The only K supply was a backpack (no wheels). The rest were donations - glue sticks, wipes, etc.

My daughter's list was extensive. By the time we paid, it was close to $60. But I let her pick out her supplies, which meant she chose some fancy designs.

I don't care. I want them to like school, and shopping for supplies should be fun. She's not in high-farms school. So donations are not an issue.

In other schools, however, less fortunate kids receive donations, as there's usually a bank of supplies.

So if you can afford it, why be so negative? Who cares how picky the teacher is? We're all different - with our own styles. Be grateful your child has supplies and is ready to learn.

jeez

Signed,
a teacher

Not everyone can afford it. We are on a tight budget. For us, the target brand is just fine. If it is fine in our home, it should be fine at school too. My child is careful and gentle with his stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why all the complaints?

My daughter's entering 5th; my son starts K. The only K supply was a backpack (no wheels). The rest were donations - glue sticks, wipes, etc.

My daughter's list was extensive. By the time we paid, it was close to $60. But I let her pick out her supplies, which meant she chose some fancy designs.

I don't care. I want them to like school, and shopping for supplies should be fun. She's not in high-farms school. So donations are not an issue.

In other schools, however, less fortunate kids receive donations, as there's usually a bank of supplies.

So if you can afford it, why be so negative? Who cares how picky the teacher is? We're all different - with our own styles. Be grateful your child has supplies and is ready to learn.

jeez

Signed,
a teacher

That's great for you. Now imagine you have twins with that same 5th grade list, or a 5th grader and other kids in graders a bit higher and lower.

In other words, get out of your bubble, use your brain, and think about what's really necessary in a classroom and what is fluff.

-- another teacher

Please, teach - just learn how to prioritize. Kids need school supplies, and I may just splurge during this time of year b/c I want my kids to be excited.

btw - We're a two-teacher HH. So we're NOT bringing in the big bucks. But education is a priority, and that means the little things - such as a fancy pencil sharpener that may cost $.50 more - mean a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids pre-k list is all cleaning supplies: no markers, no crayons, no pencils. Why can the school provide those things, but not cleaning supplies? (Or, worse, they won't be using those things?)

Don't send it in. No way do I send in cleaning supplies and things (and I'm a teacher). If the teachers at that school feel they need to provide things that run out, it's their job to approach the principal / school board with rebudgeting concerns.

omg

As a teacher, I ALWAYS donate supplies to my kids' classrooms.

nice way to support your colleagues

What's a box of tissues? or hand soap?

[Anonymous]

Things I would find ridiculous:

Cauldron
Salad spinner
Tube socks
Spackle
Rawhide
Pot-filler

Cleaning supplies? Writing and arts&crafts supplies? Cleaning supplies? Happy to provide those.

[Anonymous]

My kids pre-k list is all cleaning supplies: no markers, no crayons, no pencils. Why can the school provide those things, but not cleaning supplies? (Or, worse, they won't be using those things?)


Don't send it in. No way do I send in cleaning supplies and things (and I'm a teacher). If the teachers at that school feel they need to provide things that run out, it's their job to approach the principal / school board with rebudgeting concerns.

I call troll. There is no way you're a teacher. Approaching the school board with rebudgeting concerns?? Please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why all the complaints?

My daughter's entering 5th; my son starts K. The only K supply was a backpack (no wheels). The rest were donations - glue sticks, wipes, etc.

My daughter's list was extensive. By the time we paid, it was close to $60. But I let her pick out her supplies, which meant she chose some fancy designs.

I don't care. I want them to like school, and shopping for supplies should be fun. She's not in high-farms school. So donations are not an issue.

In other schools, however, less fortunate kids receive donations, as there's usually a bank of supplies.

So if you can afford it, why be so negative? Who cares how picky the teacher is? We're all different - with our own styles. Be grateful your child has supplies and is ready to learn.

jeez

Signed,
a teacher

Did you miss the part where teachers collect it all and redistribute? So some other kid ends up with her fancy designs and she gets a cheapo thing that won't hold up.