I'm curious what parents on here think about their school supply lists every year. I've heard parents complain that they have to buy stuff that they think their kids never use (dry erase markers are usually the main culprit). If you've got your kids' list already, what's on it? What are your thoughts on past year's lists? Any complaints or suggestions for teachers like me who make up those lists?
Well - depends on which grade they're in.
My older kids - several of their classes often have "5" binder's on the list - those things are not cheap.
Also - some of the supplies are NOT used. Instead, the list is printed way too soon - and then later I find that the kids bring it home unopened and it sat in their backpack (etc) to the point where it wasn't returnable. (obviously this isn't all on the teachers). But when I spring money - I expect the teacher to be considerate enough to actually make use of the items.
I've also had to buy headphones and other such things for computer class, as well - which is a major peeve of mine because they don't last like they need to.
For the younger kids - the sheer quantity is mind boggling as are some of the items on the lists - and some things, I just don't know what they are.
This is my daughter's:
wide ruled, loose leaf paper
#2 pencils
colored pencils
washable markers
pens (black and red ink)
pkg dry erase markers
The above thing are entirely sensible - a bit more than what we'd have to supply when I was a kid, but they're still basics. Buy in bulk - makes it cheapers. The only thing for teacher use are the pens. Usually tissues / soap is divided based on gender. I opt not to send those at the beginning of the year- I send those later on, at random times, when I find coupons.
Other items aren't so plain and simple:
red lined notebook (one of those items that I don't know what it is - and will just randomly guess)
pkg of 3-prong, pocket folders (the teacher, no doubt, has a specific concept in mind for the use of these. Odds are - I may or may not be able to find *exactly* what she wants me to get - and it will either work, or not work. If what I find isn't exactly what she wants - she will supply her own and send mine back (maybe) - and I will look at what she sends back and say 'I saw nothing like this at Dollar General/Walmart when I went out. One time in the past the only ones I could find were heavy-paper material. She wanted plastic. . . go figure.)
I do not like having to hunt down specialty items - when my kids were in kindergarden I was supposed to supply our own 'kinder-care sleeping mat' - I had absolutely no clue what on earth that was and all the stores I went to didn't have one. I sent a small sleeping bag. *shrug* - what did they think was going to happen? In fact - in all these years, I never saw those little folding foam-mats sold *anywhere* - ever . . . except for Mardel's (a Christian Bookstore in the city). On top of that - the one I did see on sale was $40.00
I prefer it when teachers say "materials cost is ___" - I send the money, they buy the goods - and they can get whatever they want and they're happy.
Adding: for the older kids - schedules change. In two separate years for both my older kids I had to buy items and return others - etc etc - because the school placed them in a different class after day 2 or 4. I now wait 1 week to send in supplies for them - I don't care what people think. It's a headache otherwise. Also - the pre-printed lists: if I wait until the teacher sends a list I can be more certain to not buy stuff they won't use.
I prefer to send things on the first day - but the schools and teachers made decisions that kept that from being wise.
