school supplies

What is the idea? Why should a child take a dozen of a certain kind of pencils? 2 rolls of paper towels, disenfectant towels, the list goes on and on. Breakfast at school? Can't buy cereal with food stamps? Milk from WIC? My Mother got out of bed in the mornings, fixed breakfast, packed 5 lunches and got us all to school on time. Mothers are working? So did my wife, packed lunches the night before. The society is getting so lazy, yes I said LAZY!! Why should the students stock the shelves? We did take our own kleen-exes, when we had colds. I just don't undestand the rest. What about all the school supplies donated by the community, who gets those? It costs enough just buying school clothes. Go figure.

Do you have any idea how fast a class of 24 students goes through a box of Kleenex? About five days (even less during cold season). Divide 180 days by 5 and that's 36 boxes of Kleenex a year, minimum. Back in the day, kids washed their hands once a day, usually before lunch, and used paper towels in the bathroom. Now most classrooms have sinks and teachers encourage kids to wash their hands frequently, hence the need for paper towels. In my room, desks are cleaned once or twice a week and wiped down with disinfectant wipes. I also wipe down books, tables, chairs, equipment, computers, and anything that the students touch frequently, all in the interest of combating germs and keeping them healthy. While I'm not required to do all that, it's 'highly encouraged' by the administrators and the school nurse.

So if the kids don't supply those things, it's left up to the teachers to buy it themselves, as there is no money in the school's budget for such frivolities. As it stands, I've had to end up supplying some of these things, anyway. Just because it's on the supply list doesn't mean the parents actually buy it and send it to school. Some truly can't afford it, some have the same mentality as you -'Why should I'?

Maybe we shouldn't ask the families to 'stock the shelves'. How about we give the teachers raises so they can afford to go buy all of that stuff themselves? Something tells me you wouldn't like that much, either...

I see both sides of the picture here. I remember when we were young we would fold up a quarter of a box of kleenex and take them to school and put them in our desks. Believe me, it would be hard to find families that were poorer than mine, but My Mom made sure we had certain things that we needed. She did without, so we had what we needed. And we, as kids, did without a lot of extras that other kids had so we had what we needed.

Yes, there truly are people that can't afford things, but I say there are many more that don't want to afford the things that are needed and choose to spend their money on the wants of life. I see that all the time, and they make things look bad for the ones that really are in need. I didn't have a problem supplying some of the things that were mentioned above, but by the time my kids were getting out of elementary school it was getting terrible.

When they began playing sports it amazed me that parents were required to provide meals for the kids before games.(parents taking turns) Whatever happened to each taking care of their own? Sure parents work, but pack an extra lunch to eat after school, before the game or have someone bring YOUR KID food. I think the world was a better place when we each took care of our own and didn't depend on society to do it for us. I am talking about the ones who are capable of doing it, but choose not to because it is easier to let someone else handle their responsibilities.

Welcome to the nanny state. You beget the kids and let society raise them. Whatever happened to good ole rugged self-reliance, you ask? Yeah how about that. Maybe Grandpa knows where it got lost in the shuffle.

Just think of the money that gets paid to the school from your property taxes!

Maybe the teachers should ask their union for the supplies that school can't seem to provide!

That new BCS going up in a cluster f__k location to educate the kids of trashy parents who can't buy supplies, provide breakfast or lunch. What good is a new school when we are raising kids to be freeloaders like their parents.

When I was in school one way to get free lunch was to help out in the cafeteria. Do we still do that in the schools?

What is wrong with wiping your nose on your sleeve if there are no kleenex? It sounds gross but every kid does it and when I was in school we didn't have all the sickness. I think the people freaking out over getting germs are the problem.

People know how to work the system, and some are experts at it. I don't mind helping out the kids and parents that really need the help, but I have a problem with the parents who can't afford school supplies but can afford beer, cigs, phones, and cable. (just to name a few items.) Everyone needs to take care of their own.

Teacher wrote:

Do you have any idea how fast a class of 24 students goes through a box of Kleenex? About five days (even less during cold season). Divide 180 days by 5 and that's 36 boxes of Kleenex a year, minimum. Back in the day, kids washed their hands once a day, usually before lunch, and used paper towels in the bathroom. Now most classrooms have sinks and teachers encourage kids to wash their hands frequently, hence the need for paper towels. In my room, desks are cleaned once or twice a week and wiped down with disinfectant wipes. I also wipe down books, tables, chairs, equipment, computers, and anything that the students touch frequently, all in the interest of combating germs and keeping them healthy. While I'm not required to do all that, it's 'highly encouraged' by the administrators and the school nurse.
So if the kids don't supply those things, it's left up to the teachers to buy it themselves, as there is no money in the school's budget for such frivolities. As it stands, I've had to end up supplying some of these things, anyway. Just because it's on the supply list doesn't mean the parents actually buy it and send it to school. Some truly can't afford it, some have the same mentality as you -'Why should I'?
Maybe we shouldn't ask the families to 'stock the shelves'. How about we give the teachers raises so they can afford to go buy all of that stuff themselves? Something tells me you wouldn't like that much, either...

Desks are cleaned once or twice a week?! And you make it sound as if that is going the extra mile?

Please....in which school district do you work?

OkAY wrote:

People know how to work the system, and some are experts at it. I don't mind helping out the kids and parents that really need the help, but I have a problem with the parents who can't afford school supplies but can afford beer, cigs, phones, and cable.(just to name a few items.) Everyone needs to take care of their own.

you summed it up.

Teacher wrote:

Do you have any idea how fast a class of 24 students goes through a box of Kleenex? About five days (even less during cold season). Divide 180 days by 5 and that's 36 boxes of Kleenex a year, minimum. Back in the day, kids washed their hands once a day, usually before lunch, and used paper towels in the bathroom. Now most classrooms have sinks and teachers encourage kids to wash their hands frequently, hence the need for paper towels. In my room, desks are cleaned once or twice a week and wiped down with disinfectant wipes. I also wipe down books, tables, chairs, equipment, computers, and anything that the students touch frequently, all in the interest of combating germs and keeping them healthy. While I'm not required to do all that, it's 'highly encouraged' by the administrators and the school nurse.
So if the kids don't supply those things, it's left up to the teachers to buy it themselves, as there is no money in the school's budget for such frivolities. As it stands, I've had to end up supplying some of these things, anyway. Just because it's on the supply list doesn't mean the parents actually buy it and send it to school. Some truly can't afford it, some have the same mentality as you -'Why should I'?
Maybe we shouldn't ask the families to 'stock the shelves'. How about we give the teachers raises so they can afford to go buy all of that stuff themselves? Something tells me you wouldn't like that much, either...

Teachers buy supplies if they got a raise???? AS IF...>.then the students would be wiping their noses on their sleeves. My grand children are NOT taking paper towels for the use by all, and they will use the pencils I received at the Champaign County fair. If each student takes a dozen pencils and there would only be 12 students (not) that would be 144 pencils, I don't suppose any of those wouldn't be broken on purpose. Teachers, You need to be teaching children common sense, also. A long time ago, when I was a little boy, there was a huge snow fall, started on Thanksgiving. Our neighbors could ride their horses to a local grocery. They called a friend on up the road that was stranded with 3 children, and she happened to be a school teacher, and asked if she needed anything. She said, "well yes, I could use a box of kleen-x" He said, "Lady, you need to tear up a sheet and wipe those kids noses, I am not riding my horse an extra mile through the snow" I never forgot this story.

Ethel K wrote:

<quoted text>
Desks are cleaned once or twice a week?! And you make it sound as if that is going the extra mile?
Please....in which school district do you work?

A lot of the teachers are a bunch of socialistic entitled government employess. They are there to collect their paychecks with summers off. I'm sure it's not a teacher wiping off desks because she/he has a paid aide to do their grunt work. People need to boycott bringing paper towels, wipes, dry erasers and kleenex. Send a small purse size kleenex, a small hand sanitizer and a plastic container of wet wipes for your own kids and then have your kid tell you when they are running low. We don't go through a box of kleenex in our household in a year with a family of four and company here frequently.

A box of kleenex lasts your famiy a year? I guess it is possible if your family doesn't have allergy issues. Maybe your kids are picking their nose and eating it? Lol

Grandpa Jones wrote:

<quoted text>Teachers buy supplies if they got a raise???? AS IF...>.then the students would be wiping their noses on their sleeves. My grand children are NOT taking paper towels for the use by all, and they will use the pencils I received at the Champaign County fair. If each student takes a dozen pencils and there would only be 12 students (not) that would be 144 pencils, I don't suppose any of those wouldn't be broken on purpose. Teachers, You need to be teaching children common sense, also. A long time ago, when I was a little boy, there was a huge snow fall, started on Thanksgiving. Our neighbors could ride their horses to a local grocery. They called a friend on up the road that was stranded with 3 children, and she happened to be a school teacher, and asked if she needed anything. She said, "well yes, I could use a box of kleen-x" He said, "Lady, you need to tear up a sheet and wipe those kids noses, I am not riding my horse an extra mile through the snow" I never forgot this story.

Here is one of the problems. It is not the teachers place to be teaching common sense. That needs to be taught at home. The teachers can build upon it, but they are not miracle workers. They have a room full of kids and it is enough for them to teach what they are paid to do, without doing the parents' jobs. Come on parents, start doing your job and quit expectin everyone in the world to do it for you!!!

Teacher wrote:

Do you have any idea how fast a class of 24 students goes through a box of Kleenex? About five days (even less during cold season). Divide 180 days by 5 and that's 36 boxes of Kleenex a year, minimum. Back in the day, kids washed their hands once a day, usually before lunch, and used paper towels in the bathroom. Now most classrooms have sinks and teachers encourage kids to wash their hands frequently, hence the need for paper towels. In my room, desks are cleaned once or twice a week and wiped down with disinfectant wipes. I also wipe down books, tables, chairs, equipment, computers, and anything that the students touch frequently, all in the interest of combating germs and keeping them healthy. While I'm not required to do all that, it's 'highly encouraged' by the administrators and the school nurse.
So if the kids don't supply those things, it's left up to the teachers to buy it themselves, as there is no money in the school's budget for such frivolities. As it stands, I've had to end up supplying some of these things, anyway. Just because it's on the supply list doesn't mean the parents actually buy it and send it to school. Some truly can't afford it, some have the same mentality as you -'Why should I'?
Maybe we shouldn't ask the families to 'stock the shelves'. How about we give the teachers raises so they can afford to go buy all of that stuff themselves? Something tells me you wouldn't like that much, either...

So let me get this straight...I spent 60 bucks on the "list of supplies" I was given, I am required to pay "school fees" of 20 bucks for a kindergartener, I pay school taxes that are already outrageous and yet you want a raise?? Maybe you shoud ask your district where this money goes! I agree that a great teacher deserves a raise every now and then but please make sure that you are one of those great teachers!! Kids these days aren't learning anything! Its easier to ignore the lack of education our children are getting then to get to the root of the issue!! I struggle to support my own family yet you believe it is my responsibility to provide for all families?? I do what needs to be done to take care of my daughter and im sorry if others aren't doing their part to take care of their own children. It isn't fair to make those of doing the right things to support those who would rather have an iphone and a 12 pack then pay for school supplies! Get real!! Its completely different when you are helping your neighbors willingly rather than being forced to provide an entire community with things your own child doesn't get the luxury of having! If you feel you don't get paid enough maybe you should've chosen another career or maybe you should've gone into teaching for the right reasons!

wow wrote:

A box of kleenex lasts your famiy a year? I guess it is possible if your family doesn't have allergy issues. Maybe your kids are picking their nose and eating it? Lol

I knew someone was going to be all over that. LMAO. We are lucky, no allergies. When little ones have colds we use Boogie Wipes. They are the best thing on the market. Kind of like wet wipes only Boogie Wipes have saline so the nose doesn't get red and raw. My kids like the grape scented ones.

Teacher wrote:

Do you have any idea how fast a class of 24 students goes through a box of Kleenex? About five days (even less during cold season). Divide 180 days by 5 and that's 36 boxes of Kleenex a year, minimum. Back in the day, kids washed their hands once a day, usually before lunch, and used paper towels in the bathroom. Now most classrooms have sinks and teachers encourage kids to wash their hands frequently, hence the need for paper towels. In my room, desks are cleaned once or twice a week and wiped down with disinfectant wipes. I also wipe down books, tables, chairs, equipment, computers, and anything that the students touch frequently, all in the interest of combating germs and keeping them healthy. While I'm not required to do all that, it's 'highly encouraged' by the administrators and the school nurse.
So if the kids don't supply those things, it's left up to the teachers to buy it themselves, as there is no money in the school's budget for such frivolities. As it stands, I've had to end up supplying some of these things, anyway. Just because it's on the supply list doesn't mean the parents actually buy it and send it to school. Some truly can't afford it, some have the same mentality as you -'Why should I'?
Maybe we shouldn't ask the families to 'stock the shelves'. How about we give the teachers raises so they can afford to go buy all of that stuff themselves? Something tells me you wouldn't like that much, either...

hey teacher! leave those parents alone! i can understand parents not having the money to buy all these extra supplies. give the teachers raises? its not just the teachers who are being cheated out of a living. its everyone else who wants to work but cant make more than 14 bucks an hour if they are lucky. pull your head out of your a$$! stagnant wages,few jobs,expensive gasoline,food getting more and more expensive,and on top of all that the schools are begging parents to supply classrooms with "frivolities". you need to get in touch with reality.

Bluto wrote:

<quoted text> hey teacher! leave those parents alone! i can understand parents not having the money to buy all these extra supplies. give the teachers raises? its not just the teachers who are being cheated out of a living. its everyone else who wants to work but cant make more than 14 bucks an hour if they are lucky. pull your head out of your a$$! stagnant wages,few jobs,expensive gasoline,food getting more and more expensive,and on top of all that the schools are begging parents to supply classrooms with "frivolities". you need to get in touch with reality.

Nice Pink Floyd reference.

Coincidentally, a family member was just telling me about the kindergarten supply list this year at one of the BCS elementary schools. Just a sampling: Clorox wipes, ziplock baggies (boys), 8 oz. hand sanitizer (girls), TWO 24 packs crayons, colored pencils, 12 pack #2 pencils-sharpened, and the kicker? Twenty, yes I said twenty, glue sticks. Really?

okay wrote:

....When they began playing sports it amazed me that parents were required to provide meals for the kids before games.(parents taking turns) Whatever happened to each taking care of their own? Sure parents work, but pack an extra lunch to eat after school, before the game or have someone bring YOUR KID food. I think the world was a better place when we each took care of our own and didn't depend on society to do it for us. I am talking about the ones who are capable of doing it, but choose not to because it is easier to let someone else handle their responsibilities.

Don't know about your school but at ours that "tradition" was started by some of the mothers of athletes, not the school.

Ethel K wrote:

<quoted text>
Nice Pink Floyd reference.
Coincidentally, a family member was just telling me about the kindergarten supply list this year at one of the BCS elementary schools. Just a sampling: Clorox wipes, ziplock baggies (boys), 8 oz. hand sanitizer (girls), TWO 24 packs crayons, colored pencils, 12 pack #2 pencils-sharpened, and the kicker? Twenty, yes I said twenty, glue sticks. Really?

Lmao!! I can do you one better! ILSD for kindergarteners : 24) pencils, 4 boxes of crayons, highlighters, dry erase markers, tissues. Anti bacterial wipes and wet wipes, HEADPHONES?, quart baggies, gallon baggies, paper towels and more!! Seriously?? School doesn't start for 2 weeks and im broke already! Plus still have to pay fees and put money on the lunch card this week! Maybe I should ask for a raise too!

Reading everyone's comments made me wonder how we ever survived when I was in elementary school....many, many years ago....lol