Whether supplies are pooled or not is going to vary a lot from classroom to classroom. Without asking the teacher directly, the best indicator might be whether a supply box is on the list- however even that's not foolproof as a lot of the teachers I know will buy the super cheap supply boxes for the class as a welcome gift.

Bottom line, if the teacher's asking for a specific brand, there's a reason, get the brand.

It depends on the school. It seems to be pooled in the younger grades. One of the schools my kids are at specifies it on the list so you know it's pooled.

I don't get why you would 't buy what the teacher requests. For heaven's sake! It can't save that much money.

Do you send all the supplies on day 1? I have a friend who says "I'm only sending my kid with 2 pencils and if s/he needs more than that s/he can ask me for another one." This is in a school where the FARMS are 25% or more.... don't know if that is part of her equation.

Do you send all the glue sticks, pencils, pens, multiple boxes of crayons, etc. on the first day?

"For that which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it. Every one thinks chiefly of his own, hardly at all of the common interest; and only when he is himself concerned as an individual. For besides other considerations, everybody is more inclined to neglect the duty which he expects another to fulfill..." -Aristotle

To avoid the tragedy of the commons, buy the good stuff. If it remains in your child's possession--at our school, kids have desks from grade 1 or 2--your kids will have the good stuff. For the stuff the remains, you will have ensured that 1/30 of the time, the time over which you have control, your kid and his classmates have the good stuff rather than the cheap stuff.

Just buy what the teacher asks for. Some teachers have the kids keep some of their own supplies and some pool the stuff. Either way, the system only works if you buy what's asked for.

Anonymous wrote:And some moms send in open packages of expired food when the class is making their Thanksgiving feast. I mean, why should I send in what the teacher asks for when I can just send in what's at the bottom of my fridge and about to be thrown in the trash? Who knows what my child will end up eating?

You're missing the point.

Does anyone know if kids keep their own supplies or not? That is the question. (And by the way, if you ordered through the PTA, they DID give you the crappy RoseArt crayons, not the nice Crayola ones.... btdt... buying my own this year).

And some moms send in open packages of expired food when the class is making their Thanksgiving feast. I mean, why should I send in what the teacher asks for when I can just send in what's at the bottom of my fridge and about to be thrown in the trash? Who knows what my child will end up eating?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two kids -- first grade and third grade FCPS.

Some of the supplies on the list indicate a preferred brand... do I buy the brand b/c my kid should have the best? Or are the items just going to be pooled and used by the whole class (not talking about kleenex here -- I know that is pooled)?

Do you send all three dozen pencils in on the first day? What do they do with that many pencils in the class room? Where do they store all the supplies? Is there a certain grade where the kid keeps what they bring?

Why not buy what the teacher asked for and hope the other moms aren't trying to save a few bucks and stick your kid with the crappy scissors or markers than run out before Columbus Day.

It would be nice if we ALL followed the rules, but there is a risk that I will buy the good stuff and my child will still get stuck with the crappy stuff. Without knowing for sure that my child will get the nice stuff, I have less incentive to buy it.

OMFG. Then save your $40 in preferred school supplies and send your kids to private school. Good grief.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two kids -- first grade and third grade FCPS.

Some of the supplies on the list indicate a preferred brand... do I buy the brand b/c my kid should have the best? Or are the items just going to be pooled and used by the whole class (not talking about kleenex here -- I know that is pooled)?

Do you send all three dozen pencils in on the first day? What do they do with that many pencils in the class room? Where do they store all the supplies? Is there a certain grade where the kid keeps what they bring?

Why not buy what the teacher asked for and hope the other moms aren't trying to save a few bucks and stick your kid with the crappy scissors or markers than run out before Columbus Day.

It would be nice if we ALL followed the rules, but there is a risk that I will buy the good stuff and my child will still get stuck with the crappy stuff. Without knowing for sure that my child will get the nice stuff, I have less incentive to buy it.

Anonymous wrote:Get the preferred brand and stop being a selfish jackass.

What a lovely person you must be!

I believe everything is pooled, but am not sure about the rest. Sorry am not more help. I've always bought through the school and I love it. It must easily be cheaper to order through there in time saved and miles not driven even if it ends up a couple dollars more than if you bought everything individually. You have to be quick though because the deadline seems to always be before school gets out.

Anonymous wrote:Get the preferred brand and stop being a selfish jackass.

It's the brand the teacher asks for, right? Crayola crayons are just tons better than Rose Art. They just are and the teacher knows this. It's not because the teacher is a name brand snob.

Anonymous wrote:Two kids -- first grade and third grade FCPS.

Some of the supplies on the list indicate a preferred brand... do I buy the brand b/c my kid should have the best? Or are the items just going to be pooled and used by the whole class (not talking about kleenex here -- I know that is pooled)?

Do you send all three dozen pencils in on the first day? What do they do with that many pencils in the class room? Where do they store all the supplies? Is there a certain grade where the kid keeps what they bring?

Why not buy what the teacher asked for and hope the other moms aren't trying to save a few bucks and stick your kid with the crappy scissors or markers than run out before Columbus Day.

Get the preferred brand and stop being a selfish jackass.

Two kids -- first grade and third grade FCPS.

Some of the supplies on the list indicate a preferred brand... do I buy the brand b/c my kid should have the best? Or are the items just going to be pooled and used by the whole class (not talking about kleenex here -- I know that is pooled)?

Do you send all three dozen pencils in on the first day? What do they do with that many pencils in the class room? Where do they store all the supplies? Is there a certain grade where the kid keeps what they bring?