Small soapbox.

Yesterday we received Jakes school supply list.

It is on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper with medium sized type.

The page is full.

The binders, pencils, pencil sharpener, paper, notebooks, even a box of kleenex I can understand.

But clorox wipes? Baby wipes? Overhead markers? Hand sanitizer? Dry erase markers? Post it notes? Zip lock bags? Oh and the kleenex...they want THREE boxes.

Plus we have a buy a LMS planner ($4 - which I totally agree with) and a telemetry thingy for PE ($8).

It seems that EVERY year the list gets longer and longer and parents are expected to pick up the slack. While I do agree that parents are responsible for taking up some of the slack, not ALL parents are doing so.

My point.....I doubt all of the kids are going to show up with the extra supplies. So, those that can are expected to provide for those that don't bring them? This is where I get a little annoyed.

For me this is a flip flop dilemma.

On one hand I am ticked off that we are expected to provide items that are not directly related to our child's education. In my opinion the items they are requesting are conveniences.

We never had dry erase boards...we had CHALK BOARDS! Chalk is WAY cheaper than those markers!

Clorox Wipes-I called the school and I was told they use them to wipe off items that get reused child after child. Makes sense...BUT Kasey was there 3 years (2003-2006) and not once were we required to bring clorox wipes. What were they using then? Isn't there a less toxic, less expensive way?

Hand sanitizer-what about good old soap and water in the bathroom? Jake has been taught how to wash his hands properly. Perhaps they should do an in-service @ LMS so others may be enlightened?

Post-it notes - how about a piece of paper and TAPE. Is Jake going to be using these? Can the teacher teach with out post-it notes?

Zip-Lock bags- Every year we send zip lock bags. The only year we ever saw some come home was kindergarten.

I have THREE kids that are going to need supplies. They are also going to need shoes and clothing.

Bottom line-we work hard for what we have and trust me when I say we have had some SERIOUS hard financial times so I do know what it is like to really struggle.We are not rich people now, we do OK because we live within our means. But back to school and Christmas we feel the crunch BIG TIME. I will be honest...it bothers me that we will be providing for others that don't bring them.

Here is where I flip flop.

All of these items DO have a practical use.

I DO understand why they want them.

I DO understand that some kids cannot afford these items and it isn't there fault.

There is no quick fix answer.

What need to happen is that more money needs to be directed to education.

Unfortunately in this country/state the lawmakers don't value education so less and less money is put towards it.

In the meantime I think the teachers need to find a less expensive options.

Will Jake show up on the first day of school with every item on the list.

Tom says...NO. He is adamant that we will NOT be providing the extra items. He feels (as I do) that they are unnecessary.

But I will make sure he has them just like I have since my kids started school. Back when we were struggling I had to plan ahead.

I am not buying these items because I agree with the list.

No... it is out of guilt. That Catholic guilt I was raised with.

I would feel bad if he showed up with out everything on his list.

I hate the flip flop feeling.

Comments

[AJ]

now don't blame Catholic guilt. There are a lot of protestants, Jewish people and atheists in the world that buy all of the items on the supply lists because it is what is expected of them. Yes, it is excessive. Yes, the items won't be just for Jake. Yes, it bothers a lot of people. But, it is what the teachers have requested... not demanded. Do what you feel is right and put the guilt behind you.

[Shannon]

>APPLAUSE< I could not have said it better myself. It drives me NUTS to get those crazy lists. I will say that both of the kids schools scaled back the list year YAY! I don't know if they do this at your school but I hate even more is when they put on the list "do not write the students name on supplies" Well whatever my kids names are on everything I purchase. If my money buys it you better believe I expect my child to use it. OK I will get off my soapbox now too LOL

[MARY]

I WONDER IF YOUR PARENTS EVER HAD THE SAME THOUGHTS....WHY NOT SHARE...WHAT IF THE SHOE WHERE ON THE OTHER FOOT......