So I purchased my kids school supplies yesterday and noticed that they added post it notes and a ream of copy paper to the list. Several parents I have spoken to have said they will not be purchasing those items and that it should be supplied by the school. What are your thoughts about this? I wonder how many people are aware that teachers must purchase many classroom items with their own money?

Teachers- can you tell us how much of you spend per year to set up and maintain your classroom?

I know some families can't afford everything on the list. They rely on Stuff the Bus or simply send the child without.

I think it's screwy that parents are expected to pick up the teacher's supplies. McDonalds doesn't ask you to bring TP or uniforms for their employees; they build those costs into their pricing.

That being said, no one wants higher taxes and I think teachers really have to spend too much of their own money, so I send what ever they ask.

But our PTA offers pre-packaged supply packs - they have everything on the list in the correct size, color, number, etc... I write a check at the end of each school year for the next year and on the first day of school, both boys have their supplies in their classroom when they get there. The PTA gets a share, which helps the school. I'm not running around town, fighting crowds and wasting gas; and they don't have to schlep everything to school. We bought supplies the first year and spent more than we would have if we'd just bought the pack.

[This message has been edited by TxElsie (edited 8/18/2012 7:04p).]

My kids' lists include 4 packages of copy paper, two packages of Expo markers, Kleenex, etc. This is common procedure for all the schools. I know the teachers spend much more out of their own pockets. I do not mind this one-time expense.

My thoughts exactly TxElsie. I've even heard of schools, who are trying to cut back on paper usage, ask for flash drives.

My intermediate and middle school kids have their own flash drives (it's on the supply list). I love that they can work on their reports and PowerPoints either at school or at home.

Whatever it takes for my kids to have a good education. I always get a little extra plus a gift card for classroom supplies. I grew up in a state where the parents rented books every semester from k-12. Teachers should not have to cover expenses for my kids to be in their class and school bugets only go so far. It seems silly to withhold school supplies if you can afford it.

Budget cutbacks are extreme and printing allotments have been greatly reduced. The ream of paper often allows the teachers to print on their classroom printers (for which they pay and buy the ink) to send notes home for your children. The supply list in CS was actually reduced this year as they try to stick to no more than a certain dollar amount and many teachers are having to make up the difference.

It is my understanding that this year the teachers are also not allowed to have 'wishlist' items that parents can voluntarily purchase posted so if you are a gracious parent be sure to ask the teacher what might benefit the classroom.

We trust our children's minds and futures to people that do what they do because they love to build better futures - not for the money (or to get an extra gel ink pen).

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It is my understanding that this year the teachers are also not allowed to have 'wishlist' items that parents can voluntarily purchase posted

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This is just dumb. I'd much rather see a wishlist than have them arbitrarily add stuff onto supplies lists. I like to at least *think* I get a say in how much I can afford to help out. I think when it is dictated to parents, the can resent it, but if they feel they're doing more than the minimum by choice it's more palatable.

I live in College Station but teach in another district. A low income district. I usually have to not only buy my supplies but supplies for my students as well because some of my students are more worried about their next meal than school supplies. So yes it kind of ticks me off when CSISD wants me to buy their teachers supplies as well. Heck a teacher who has taught the same number of years I have makes almost 5 grand more than I do. They can buy their own dang supplies.

The reason there are no wish lists is because teachers at certain schools (i.e., Pebble Creek) would get more things than teachers at other schools (i.e., South Knoll). You can interchange any schools listed in my example with schools south of town vs. schools in town.

It was my understanding that someone was griping about it - obviously. I was told that teachers or parents at the schools in town were upset with the disparity. Hence, no more wish lists.

How much do post it notes and copy paper really cost? I don't think it's unreasonable for the parents to buy it. I personally think teachers pay too much for their own classrooms.

Sometimes these items are for student use also. I taught 4th grade 2 years ago and we used post-it notes as a reading strategy and the students had access to them whenever they needed them.
The same goes for Expo markers. Every classroom I've been in has individual white boards for students to use during group instruction. Every child has to have a marker and they don't last very long.
Just another way to look at it. I can personally say I spend about $300 a year on supplies.

We include a 25$ Office Depot gift card to the teacher for school supplies in the classroom. They can use it for helping out the poorer kids get supplies or use it for their supplies.

Our PTO provides our teachers with giftcards to help
with their purchases but I've always wondered just how much they spend. We have such amazing teachers at our school! They're always so hesitant to ask for ítems from the parents. It's just not right that they have to spend so much of their own money. I've never given giftcards but I've always asked if they are low on certain items and purchased them.

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It is my understanding that this year the teachers are also not allowed to have 'wishlist' items that parents can voluntarily purchase posted so if you are a gracious parent be sure to ask the teacher what might benefit the classroom.

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Thanks for posting this - I was not aware. I am thankful that my kiddos can attend school in a great school district with caring teachers, and am more than happy to help chip in for extra supplies, or for supplies for less fortunate students. It's a blessing to be able to do so, in fact.

I, like most teachers, make do with what we get, buy what we need, make life better for a little dude... FYI, a gift card left in our mailbox at school doesn't fund household supplies, It gives a kiddo new markers that they never had before...

Giftcards....great idea.

My first year as a teacher I spent an insane amount of money - well my husband stopped me in March after I had spent about $1000 on organizational and decorative things plus extra supplies (max allowed for deductions for a teacher). The next year I still spent between three and four hundred. It's alot, but I could've gotten by with less...

The teachers at my daughters school are wonderful, and anything I can do to help them out I will. I like many others do not have a lot of extra money, but a few dollars here and there throughout the year can help. I will and always do ask what the teacher may still need for the class. Gift cards are also a great idea even $10 can go a long way in provided a few much needed supplies!!

All the teachers at my child's elementary school (CSISD) had wish lists in their rooms this evening for meet the teacher.

What school Rebel?

We had none posted

Everything these underpaid teachers do for your (and my) children, and you are griping about a ream of paper and post it notes?

I'd happily buy your ream of paper and post it notes for your childs teacher!

College Hills

I taught 30 years and 26 in CSISD. I spent well over a $1000 for my students each year to have the proper supplies. With the budget cuts from the Legislature and the fact that teachers can only claim $200 on their Income tax credit......that is bull. Teachers spend sooooo much on your kids and we all know what their salaries are. Please don't gripe, just help! CSISD and BISD teachers use interactive lessons and the kids are using the markers and things you are complaining about. Support the public schools. We are very lucky we have great ones and our community supports education. Also, be sure you vote in November for the candidate who will help support our public schools and help regain the funding that was ripped from them by the Legislature!

This is my first year and I was given a key to literally blank walls and desk and told get after it. I quit one job after saving money to allocate so I could be off this summer, change careers into teaching, and have my child. He ended up in NICU unexpectedly. After those bills and the money I've spent on my room that I didn't "factor in" to get to be a teacher, I'm hurting until I get that first paycheck at the end of September.

Just remember any items you bring or money/gift card you give to your child's teacher will make your child's learning experience a better one. I wish I could buy many other things to complete my room, but I have to pay my bills for my family, too. I've spent probably $500-600....and my room is bare!!! I printed and made everything I possibly could instead of purchasing.

Not complaining, and grateful for a job, but it's one experience....since someone asked. I am certain any help enhances your child's learning.

[This message has been edited by Aggoddess (edited 8/24/2012 7:02a).]

Buy only supplies that your child will use.

The teacher doesn't HAVE to buy extra things for the room. Many CHOOSE to do so. I will not bankroll someone else's waste of their own money.

Wow, Sara - glad I'm not your child

As has been stated, the supply list is the minimum. If you can help more, please do.

Rebel-91, stop by the Gym sometime...

I really had no idea how much teacher's had to spend on their classrooms. They will always have my support.

Good luck on your first year aggoddess!

Double post, sorry!!

[This message has been edited by Aggoddess (edited 8/24/2012 8:56p).]

Sarasota: what things do you deem extra? I'm just curious....I only purchased minimum essentials for that $500, no "fluff." in fact it's sort of embarrassing that my kids room isn't as great as my colleagues, but hopefully they'll still learn. Calendar, abc, word wall, number line, small group supplies, etc.

I actually just returned from heb where I bought $60 worth of snack for the kids for the first two weeks so parent don't have to worry about it. The ongoing costs are tbd

Thanks momday04! I'm completely career changing so I'm hoping it will go well!!

[This message has been edited by Aggoddess (edited 8/24/2012 8:56p).]

I got so tired of buying 'Ziptop' bags that are required in Elementary. Was a room parent and the only time we used them was at party time. WHAT????...and there were so many boxes wasted. I scratched that off my list FOREVER...

What about stuff the bus? There has to be extra supplies left over so who gets that? You would think that they would divide it up between the schools. I still don't see how 1 kid can require 6 glue sticks, 3 bottles of glue and 12 pencils. I have yet to see that much work come home. I can barely afford the supplies on the list for 1 kid much less for some other kid that their parents think that the latest cell phone, fake nails and expensive clothes for themselves is more important.

Aggoddess, I would probably actually prefer your classroom to the one my child will be in! I don't know where she got her money, but my son's teacher covered every single inch of every wall in that classroom. There is seriously not one bit of white space to rest your eyes.

The room looks like a "Where's Waldo?" and gave me ADD just visiting it. I have no idea how she expects the children to focus on anything in that room, it's so distracting!