School supplies -- buy the best or is it just pooled for the whole class?

[Anonymous]

The more extensive school supply lists are a result of the regular cuts to educational spending. The schools could cut back on supplies, or cut back on instruction.

In the wealthier areas, the parents are able to provide the schools with what is needed. In the poorer area, that may not be the case. Thus, another example of how the income disparity hurts the poor.

(I know at some schools -- some of the wealthier schools in FCPS, the PTA purchase supplies and other expenses for the kids that can not afford them.)

At some of the poorer schools, the quality of supplies and parent funded activities (field trips) are lower than at the richer schools.

For example, at Louise Archer (a well off school), the 4th graders go to Jamestown on a field trip at a cost of $50+ per kid, funded by the parents. Kids on subsidized lunch are paid for by the PTA. At some poorer schools, McNair, for example, they can not afford the trip.

If you think this inequality is good, vote for the tea party.

[Anonymous]

And I can come up with many more examples of where low income schools get MORE money than schools like Louise Archer not to mention they have their meals and sports fees paid for among other things. And the low income children at Louise Archer are being paid for by the PTA verses being left out. Low income schools really don't want equality because they already get quite a bit more money than the schools that don't have a lot of low income children. I'm sure the Louise Archer parents would prefer the smaller class sizes and additional math specialist like the title 1 schools, but don't go blaming the democratic party about the discrepancy. If you think your school should be spending their extra money on a Jamestown trip, bring it up with your principal or find a business willing to subsidize. FCPS is pretty good about distributing money evenly for core programs and then giving more money to schools with higher percentages of low income children for additional programs. They even raise money outside of the money from the BOS for programs like you mentioned. The schools simply can't pay for everything on their own and need the PTAs and other outside sources to help out with funding.

[Anonymous]

You don't know me, so don't make assumptions. You are wrong. I'm the one organizing the class gift. I'm the one bringing ALL the treats for the school party. I'm the one who leads the girl scout troop. I'm teh one who wants to know if everyone really IS sending in the expensive stuff (some of the "preferred" items cost 4 times as much as the store brand and I'm not sure there is a significant difference). If everyone IS complying, then I will too. If the general opinion is "I'm just buying what I think is a good deal regardless of the "preferred" status," then I'm down for being value conscious as well.... especially if items are pooled.

Wow, no need to make assumptions, PP. You show your 8th grade level analysis of how to live an honorable life all on your own.

[Anonymous]

I would buy the better brand regardless of whether they are pooled or not. I would bring everything that was requested on Day 1.

If supplies run out, I will gladly buy more for my child or the entire class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The more extensive school supply lists are a result of the regular cuts to educational spending. The schools could cut back on supplies, or cut back on instruction.

In the wealthier areas, the parents are able to provide the schools with what is needed. In the poorer area, that may not be the case. Thus, another example of how the income disparity hurts the poor.

(I know at some schools -- some of the wealthier schools in FCPS, the PTA purchase supplies and other expenses for the kids that can not afford them.)

At some of the poorer schools, the quality of supplies and parent funded activities (field trips) are lower than at the richer schools.

For example, at Louise Archer (a well off school), the 4th graders go to Jamestown on a field trip at a cost of $50+ per kid, funded by the parents. Kids on subsidized lunch are paid for by the PTA. At some poorer schools, McNair, for example, they can not afford the trip.

If you think this inequality is good, vote for the tea party.

Can one parent fund extra so the entire class can go on better field trips?

My children are not yet in school yet. I would have for my children to miss out.

[Anonymous]

You wouldn't be funding the entire class, you would have to fund the entire grade and all the classes that make up that grade. If you have that kind of $$ you usually go to private school where it is called tuition rather than giving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You wouldn't be funding the entire class, you would have to fund the entire grade and all the classes that make up that grade. If you have that kind of $$ you usually go to private school where it is called tuition rather than giving.

We do have the funds to send our kids to private school. We are in the process of deciding between public and private school. We live in the Fairfax side of Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

I'm saying this sincerely, not sarcastically:

If you send your kids to public school, then I'm SURE the public school would be VERY happy to receive your donation to fund the entire grade. That is exceedingly generous of you and certainly would make that school a better place.

Generosity SHOULD be voluntary. That's why I don't like the policy of pooling all the supplies without telling parents. If I want to be generous, it should be my choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm saying this sincerely, not sarcastically:

If you send your kids to public school, then I'm SURE the public school would be VERY happy to receive your donation to fund the entire grade. That is exceedingly generous of you and certainly would make that school a better place.

Generosity SHOULD be voluntary. That's why I don't like the policy of pooling all the supplies without telling parents. If I want to be generous, it should be my choice.

You are just so selfish. Oh, no, little Billy will be using MY crayons!!! waaa waaaa waaaaa

[Anonymous]

I also have a rising 1st and 3rd grader. On my first graders list for example, it tells me to write her name on her scissors, pencil box, binder and composition books and that ever everything else will be pooled together to use through out the school year.

My 3 graders list isn't as detailed, but considering it only asks for small amounts, like 1 glue stick and one bottle of glue, to label folders, and that we will be notified when school starts of more supplies, I gather that we are buying only for out child.

Every grade and every school works slightly differently.

I bought a majority of my girls school supplies on amazon and save about $25 between the 2. Free shipping thanks to Amazon Prime, and no shoving my way through Target/Walmart isle, it was great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm saying this sincerely, not sarcastically:

If you send your kids to public school, then I'm SURE the public school would be VERY happy to receive your donation to fund the entire grade. That is exceedingly generous of you and certainly would make that school a better place.

Generosity SHOULD be voluntary. That's why I don't like the policy of pooling all the supplies without telling parents. If I want to be generous, it should be my choice.

You are just so selfish. Oh, no, little Billy will be using MY crayons!!! waaa waaaa waaaaa

Am I missing something? Does it matter if a classmate shares the same glue or crayons?

I really don't think my child would notice or care what brand glue or crayon it was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm saying this sincerely, not sarcastically:

If you send your kids to public school, then I'm SURE the public school would be VERY happy to receive your donation to fund the entire grade. That is exceedingly generous of you and certainly would make that school a better place.

Generosity SHOULD be voluntary. That's why I don't like the policy of pooling all the supplies without telling parents. If I want to be generous, it should be my choice.

This post is all kinds of awesome. You nailed it!

[Anonymous]

Simply don't buy certain things. For ex: the dry-erase markers. Those are clearly for the classroom and not for your child. Same with tissues. Just send your child to school with tissues if they are needed. It does grate me throughout the year to get the notices "We are out of tissues; please send in more with your child."

There is nothing the school can do. They can't force you to send in common supplies. While they are busy cutting costs they are also outfitting teachers with, for example, around-the-neck microphones so they don't have to raise their voices. This has nothing to do with hard-of-hearing children; it is just a "benefit." There is a lot more fat in the budget than can be cut so that the SCHOOL can buy supplies. It is not, as stated upthread, a matter of "supplies or education, pick one."

Am I a bitter parent who is against teachers? Hardly, as I AM a teacher. But I'm not a sheep who goes along with everything the district decides. Enough is enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm saying this sincerely, not sarcastically:

If you send your kids to public school, then I'm SURE the public school would be VERY happy to receive your donation to fund the entire grade. That is exceedingly generous of you and certainly would make that school a better place.

Generosity SHOULD be voluntary. That's why I don't like the policy of pooling all the supplies without telling parents. If I want to be generous, it should be my choice.

You are just so selfish. Oh, no, little Billy will be using MY crayons!!! waaa waaaa waaaaa

Am I missing something? Does it matter if a classmate shares the same glue or crayons?

I really don't think my child would notice or care what brand glue or crayon it was.

That was exactly my point. You are missing the fact that I am making fun of the PP that wanted her generosity to be voluntary and thus would presumably be upset if someone else used her child's supplies because they are pooled without her knowledge- thus forcing her to SHARE..

[Anonymous]

OP here: I've already bought the Expo markers and the name brand kleenex and such that are obviously for the teacher and class to use. I don't begrudge the plan to pool these items. The point of my original post was to ask if everyone generally goes along with the request for "preferred" brands on items that in my experience were bought and used by one student (i.e. pens, pencils, glue, etc., etc.). When I was growing up, I got to pick out the pens I wanted to use, and the folders and ruler and after my mom bought them, I brought them to school and they were mine. She knew and I knew that my choices on these items were for me alone.

Yes, there is a disincentive to buy the expensive "preferred" brands if I know they are going to be pooled. This is simple economic logic b/c there is a risk that few people are going to buy the preferred brands and then those few are the suckers. On the other hand, if it seems like everyone/most everyone agrees that they follow the request, then the disincentive/risk is diminished.