Who is responsible for school supplies?
Today begins the annual sales tax holiday. Families will hit the stores to purchase back-to-school clothing, computers and supplies.
Many schools and teachers mail letters or put on their Web sites the items they expect students to have. The lists include everything from specific types of notebooks and binders to requests for tissues, hand sanitizer, copy paper and other items.
Some families buy all the items. Some don’t. Often teachers use their own money to plug in the holes.
But I wonder what the school supply turnout will be like this year.
With the recession and many families facing tight budgets, I wonder how many parents will refuse to buy items they think the school should supply – like tissues or copy paper.
(Although the hand sanitizer would be pretty useful with all the worries about swine flu.)
At the same time I wonder how many teachers will stop using their own money to pay for these items. Between the furloughs, no raises and increased health care costs, money is tight for educators.
What supplies are you planning to buy? Is the economy forcing you to reconsider what you’re willing to contribute?
STORY HELP: A co-worker is writing a back-to-school story looking at who is volunteering in schools. If your PTA or school has an interesting group — whether it be all fathers or all grandparents or employees from a local company — we want to hear from you. Send a note to gstaples@ajc.com if you’d like to participate.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
178 comments Add your comment
Grace
July 31st, 2009
4:49 pm
The solution is simple. Require the PTA to buy school supplies in bulk and sell them to the parents at a discounted price. The school makes money and the parents save money and TIME.
Every family should be required to buy said supplies for their kid(s).
It is absurd to think that parents cannot afford (refuse to buy) supplies. If a child shows up without proper learning materials, it is the fault of the parent(s). There are NO EXCUSES even in today’s economy. Any parent that refuses to purchase school supplies is a deadbeat parent – no if, and or buts.
If the PTA handled this it would also cut out on the ridiculous number of “fundraisers”. FYI PTA, every parent detests these gift wrap and magazine selling schemes. Get off your power trip, come down to earth and help the parents and teachers like you were appointed to do.
Gwinnett Parent
July 31st, 2009
5:09 pm
A few of the items on this year’s supply list includes 12 glue sticks, 4 dry erasers, a box of Expo markers, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, Kleenex, reams of copy paper, and Ziploc bags. Where is the money from the school district? I wonder what the teacher plans to do with 80 dry erasers(20 kidsX4). Will the teacher use 20 sets of Expo markers
this year? These request have gotten too excessive. I purchased most of the “teacher” items and more pencils than required. At .29 a pack of 10..why not? The school itself should supply the dry erasers, Expo markers, and copy paper. Neither the teacher nor parent should be expected to supply these things. The school can pay for professional binding of handbooks and send home tons of misc. stuff in my child’s folder(pdf????). The school district spends millions of dollars without bids, but gee the teacher does not have markers and erasers for the board. Did someone fail Consumer Economics class???
Kim
July 31st, 2009
5:18 pm
I am sick of parents saying they can’t afford the school supplies, need free lunch etc., but when you stand next to them they stink from all the cigarettes they paid $4.50 a pack for. With the sales that walmart is having for what one pack of cigarettes cost they could buy paper, crayons, notebooks and much more.
I know some people fall on hard times but it is also a matter of what you CHOOSE to spend your money on. Many people are of the belief that is everyone elses responsibility to provide for their child who those chose to have.
Supporter of Public School Teachers
July 31st, 2009
6:46 pm
Bitter Much,
No, you lack the capacity to touch a nerve with me, YOU on the other hand hit a nerve with many of the other posters, substantiated by the postings directed to you and the image of financial superiority you project.
In your posting you were wrong in the disingenuous and dismissive way you addressed the issue. In my travels around the world, it is a fact that no institution is perfect, and the carte blanche way you negatively painted the entire public school system and all teachers because of these postings shows a tremendous lack of exposure.
My family has been very fortunate to live all around the world and live in affluent neighborhoods while our son attended public schools located in these very affluent neighborhoods. I am constantly in the presence of really rich people, (the ones who can afford to send their children to private school without “making sacrifices or sticking to a strict budget”) and these really rich people are not disingenuous or impolite, are cognizant to the financial struggles of others and do make sustantial contributions to our public schools and others not as affluent. Only the noveau riche project the image you protrayed in your posting.
Our children project us! Needless to say your child will probably go into the private school classrooms and project this air of unsubstantiated afflulence and superior attitude, because she has learnt it from you! It is interesting that when one is reponded to in like manner of the image one projects, one immediately cries that one has been denigrated! Do not open doors that you cannot
deal with what comes in through these doors.
Everyone has a first amendment right to speak, including teachers. They have a right to express their frustrations and concerns about their individual financial situations. YOU have no proof that all the posters are indeed real teachers of our public school. It is convceiveable that some of the negative postings might be made by teachers in the private school system or just someone in the general public.
Be really careful about flaunting these jobs that you and your wife both have now to be able to afford private school, consider that since you may not be the owner of a business, you are subject to the same furloughs and pay cuts that these teachers are angry about, What would you do if you both lost these jobs, and have gone through your savings, will the private school be willing to allow your daughter to continue to attend without the tutition being paid?
Parent & teacher with multiple perspectives
July 31st, 2009
7:23 pm
I grew up in Massachusetts and when I went to school EVERYTHING – even pencils and markers – were provided for us. My relatives who still live in the same district (which are organized by towns, not counties) said it’s still pretty much the same – however both state income, sales, and property taxes are much higher – I guess you get what you pay for in “Taxachusetts.”
My sister lives just above the MA border in NH – no income or sales tax, but property tax is much higher – she pays about three times what I pay here for a comparably valued house. Her school supply list is just the basics of pens, pencils, paper, and notebooks, but she has to pay $50 a year for the bus! That one surprised me.
I recently visited some schools in Maryland where the students were assessed extra fees (nominal – $5-$10) for music and science classes – I can’t imagine doing that here – I can’t even assess a student the cost of a broken beaker like they did when I was in college.
As a parent, this is the first year in 17 years that I am not BTS shopping – my son just graduated last year. I remember my first list and I was surprised at having to provide tissues and hand soap – those were the only communal items however – everything else was for my daughter’s personal use. In the subsequent 16 years, I was never asked for anything for a communal pot (outside of the tissues & soap) – I even remember trying to write my kids’ names on their markers – that wasn’t fun! I was never asked for copy paper – but we were asked to send in a self-addressed stamped envelope at the end of the school year.
As a middle school teacher I always tried to keep my supply lists simple – I remember standing in the store trying to find the right combination of colored folders for my daughter, and I wouldn’t want to subject a parent to that. I’ve never requested copy paper or dry erase markers or anything like that. I scrounge up paper and pencils all year (I even has some bus driver friends give me their collections) and that’s what I keep for those who come unprepared. As much as I would like to assess them some kind of penalty grade-wise or detention-wise, doing that is really frowned upon these days.
I’m lucky to work in a county that has always provided a decent amount ($75 – $150) for supply purchases (not sure what’s going to happen this year though). I have used that money as well as the “Sonny money” and my own to purchase supplies such as extra pencils and paper. However, this year is going to be a little different – no Sonny money, and I will be significantly curtailing my spending because I simply can’t afford it. We all need to be looking for ways to cut back and streamline – do more with less. I don’t think it will be bad for the kids to learn a little responsibility and thrift – I don’t think it will be bad for the districts either – we need to take a hard look at textbook purchases, bus routes, and technology for the sake of technology, etc.
For the record, I don’t think schools should be requesting copy paper – I think the students should be expected to have their own notebook paper, though. Too many copies are being made and there is a lot of waste. Schools, teachers and parents should try to be as paperless as possible. I don’t make extra copies – when possible I post assignments online, and if students lose their copy, they need to print the new one themselves or I’ll make them copy onto their own paper – a natural consequence for losing their paper in the first place. I will really be enforcing this this year.
The probable reason for the dry erase markers & erasers is the focus on “informal assessments” – a popular strategy is for each student to have their own small white board and marker for answers (like the slate tablets of old). for the teacher or school to buy bulk markers for all the students to last the entire year is expensive, but one marker per student is not a huge amount. There is no need for erasers to be purchased – one, a rag or paper towel works fine, and two, the erasers can be washed – I wash mine every year: squirt a little soap, wet it, rub it in, and rinse.
Finally, so many people don’t realize just how much or little they are really paying for schools – I know that property taxes are included in rent, but it’s not a number that is ever seen by the renters, where as homeowners see on their tax bill just how much they are paying. I know I pay less that the average cost to educate a child in my district – I’m already getting a bargain – I’m less likely to expect extras.
south georgia
July 31st, 2009
9:16 pm
Last year our system decided that since we were getting SonnyMoney, they would cut our classroom allotment by $100. This year the allotment from our system is still cut, and we didn’t get SonnyMoney either.
Mary Ann McKenney
July 31st, 2009
9:43 pm
I teach in high school. Last year I supplied composition notebooks for all of my students because I wanted them to learn to take notes. Most tore up the notebooks or drew pictures even when they were told the notes were for a grade. (This is high school – and not special ed).
This year I will buy some paper – but not a lot. I will charge the same amount for the paper (a penny a page) and pencils (10 cents) as the library does – and will replenish my stash from there.
Public Educator
July 31st, 2009
10:07 pm
As an elementary educator for 16 years, I have spent my own money on classroom supplies every year. Most people don’t realize that teachers (at least in Gwinnett) only get about $100 PER YEAR from the school to spend on supplies. These supplies include construction paper, glue, scissors, etc. I’ve found that I can forgo the basics and spend about $250 at the beginning of the year on bargain items like glue sticks, markers, crayons, folders, and notebooks for my kids. Anything that is “communal” I buy for the class. I do agree that it’s ridiculous for some teachers to ask for paper towels and other non-essential items, but I also know that we don’t get a lot of money to buy what we do need, and that teachers, in general, are not frivolous with the things they request.
Parents, let’s think about this for a minute. The supplies you send in August are meant to last 180 days. Your children are not only using pencils and paper these days, but most elementary teachers also use personal dry erase boards for the kids, which necessitates dry erase markers. Kids never seem to be able to secure the caps on these, so they dry out frequently. Even through the county supply catalog, these are expensive to replace. The same goes for overhead markers. Copy paper in my classroom is not used for making copies, but for illustrations and child-created books. Think about what you would want your child to be able to accomplish in a year and how willing you might be to contribute to their success.
I’m not saying that parents should be expected to supply things for the entire class…Just that it’s easy to overlook the fact that these supplies are to be used for the entire year. How can we expect a teacher to buy an entire year’s worth of supplies for 25 students with $100? I am lucky enough to be able to afford to spend a couple hundred dollars a year on my students, and take that opportunity to teach them how to respect materials. At the beginning of the year, I show them which things the school paid for and which things I paid for, and let them know that I don’t mind paying for things, but that they must respect the things they’re given. If they misuse something, it’s taken away.
I think the issues for most teachers is the fact that roughly half the children don’t send in any supplies, yet come to school dressed in nicer clothes than I’ll ever own, with their freshly manicured nails and hair extensions. They somehow qualify for free lunch (how closely does the government look at those applications?), yet can afford to buy ice cream every day. They tell me they can’t afford to pay $7 to go on the field trip, yet brag about their new PS3 or XBox. These are usually the same children who are dropped off at school (in their brand new Escalades) an hour before they’re supposed to be there so their parents can avoid paying for daycare. I am sure that the readers of this blog, obviously interested in and concerned about the state of education, are not among those parents. It’s hard to imagine there are people out there who purposely teach their children, through their daily actions, that it’s okay to lie, cheat, and depend on someone else to support you. Unfortunately, teachers see this on a daily basis, so please forgive us and understand if our views of the world have become a little jaded.
And for those of you who still support us, thank you for making our lives a little easier.
MomOf2
July 31st, 2009
11:02 pm
I have always sent my children with all their needed supplies to school. I am always willing to help teachers purchase extra supplies as well. But like everyone is stating, times are tough and I question, “Why are teachers having to purchase, dry erase markers, copy paper and red pens? I bet none of the administrators are purchasing their own supplies. Why is there no money for these items? It should fall under the same category as textbooks and computer software, they are necessities in order for teachers to teach. These necessities should be provided by the school.
Another quick note, they need to get away from the generic supply list they put in every walmart and target. The teacher should convey what supplies his/her student will need.
Dekalb educator
July 31st, 2009
11:23 pm
I am a Dekalb teacher and teach in an at-risk school. Every year I buy glue,pencils, folders, and crayons for my students when they are on sale at a reasonable price. Fortunately, I can afford it and don’t mind helping my students. Some parents contribute supplies and some students never bring in any supplies. During the year, I ask for more supplies and get little response. It makes my life less stressful to just purchase items in August. Many of the teachers at my school do the same thing. Our PTA can not afford to help us defer the cost.
sassy driver
July 31st, 2009
11:23 pm
WOW!!!! Iam with Gwinnettteacher and Rosie i work for the gwinnett schools and the way these teachers are talking iam floored..I buy all the suppies for my son and i guess iam buying for other students to.Teachers are fussing about parents that are not buying suppies i dont blame them some teachers let the whole room use them..When my son comes home and doesnt have paper or a pen to do homework with i ask him what did you do with the stuff i bought.He says The teacher took everything and put it up..NO NO we buy that stuff for our kids the stuff stays with our kid..I dont make alot of money either but my son will have all his suppies and more..But when he needs a pen or paper when he comes home he better have it..Try driving the bus load with the children 70 at a time i think you would stop fussing..BY THE WAY THEY ARE CHILDREN NOT MONSTERS..
Rachelle
August 1st, 2009
12:12 am
What teacher is in it for the money?
melany williams
August 1st, 2009
12:43 am
As I read the different views on this topic I think that if the world continues down the road we are on we will become mere shells of humanity. Possibly slitting each others throats for coughing to loudly on the subway. The point is this although I respect what the teachers are saying regarding tough times that does not justify calling children little monsters. As a matter of fact I hope like hell you never teach my child because you obviously despise children. Although I do send everything on the list as well as the fill er up in January I realize that GOD blessed me so that I can bless others. No I am not rich. As a matter of fact I was not furloughed I was fired. My husband works an additional 20-22 hours a week and instead of complaining we praise God because we could be homeless. As a teacher are you required to take care of someone else’s kids no but have empathy and realize someone may be struggling with buying groceries or gas.
Public Educator
August 1st, 2009
12:47 am
As an elementary educator for 16 years, I have spent my own money on classroom supplies every year. Most people don’t realize that teachers (at least in Gwinnett) only get about $100 PER YEAR from the school to spend on supplies. These supplies include construction paper, glue, scissors, etc. I’ve found that I can forgo the basics and spend about $250 at the beginning of the year on bargain items like glue sticks, markers, crayons, folders, and notebooks for my kids. Anything that is “communal” I buy for the class. I do agree that it’s ridiculous for some teachers to ask for paper towels and other non-essential items, but I also know that we don’t get a lot of money to buy what we do need, and that teachers, in general, are not frivolous with the things they request.
Parents, let’s think about this for a minute. The supplies you send in August are meant to last 180 days. Your children are not only using pencils and paper these days, but most elementary teachers also use personal dry erase boards for the kids, which necessitates dry erase markers. Kids never seem to be able to secure the caps on these, so they dry out frequently. Even through the county supply catalog, these are expensive to replace. The same goes for overhead markers. Copy paper in my classroom is not used for making copies, but for illustrations and child-created books. Think about what you would want your child to be able to accomplish in a year and how willing you might be to contribute to their success. I’m not saying that parents should be expected to supply things for the entire class…Just that it’s easy to overlook the fact that these supplies are to be used for the entire year. How can we expect a teacher to buy an entire year’s worth of supplies for 25 students with $100? I am lucky enough to be able to afford to spend a couple hundred dollars a year on my students, and take that opportunity to teach them how to respect materials. At the beginning of the year, I show them which things the school paid for and which things I paid for, and let them know that I don’t mind paying for things, but that they must respect the things they’re given. If they misuse something, it’s taken away.
I think the issue for most teachers is the fact that roughly half the children don’t send in any supplies, yet come to school dressed in nicer clothes than I’ll ever own, with their freshly manicured nails and hair extensions. They somehow qualify for free lunch (how closely does the government look at those applications?), yet can afford to buy ice cream every day. They tell me they can’t afford to pay $7 to go on the field trip, yet brag about their new PS3 or XBox. These are usually the same children who are dropped off at school (in their brand new Escalades) an hour before they’re supposed to be there so their parents can avoid paying for daycare. I am sure that the readers of this blog, obviously interested in and concerned about the state of education, are not among those parents. It’s hard to imagine there are people out there who purposely teach their children, through their daily actions, that it’s okay to lie, cheat, and depend on someone else to support you. Unfortunately, teachers see this on a daily basis, so please forgive us and understand if our views of the world have become a little jaded.
And for those of you who still support us, thank you for making our lives a little easier.
ScienceTeacher671
August 1st, 2009
1:01 am
Enter your comments here
DB
August 1st, 2009
1:25 am
Take care of your own, and share as you can. That’s the best any of us can do.
However, I can tell you right now that my willingness to share is decreased when you have shoes that cost six times what mine cost, your cell phone is the latest iPhone with a data plan (I can’t afford a data plan), and you drive up in a new leased Lexus SUV. I’m not jealous — but I don’t think that I need to share with you, either. You’re spending a lot of money to impress me — ok, I’m so impressed that I don’t think you need my help. And I’m not asking you to share with me. I take care of my own.
Communal supplies? No way. I buy the pen, my kid better be able to USE the pen. This is not “The Rainbow Fish”.
The people here who are ragging on teachers because they are not saintly enough to suit them are the same people who walk by homeless people on the street complaining about the smell. When did becoming a teacher become synonymous with taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience? Yes, the best teachers are passionate about sharing knowledge — but what business is made up completely of “bests”? All teachers are human — they get frustrated, they feel under-appreciated, and they, too, are dealing with economic realities. How many of us would stay with a company that made you buy your own copy paper?!?! Get real. It’s a wonder teachers aren’t raving psychotics, they have to deal with so many alternate realities under conditions that most would consider draconian at best.
Bella
August 1st, 2009
3:48 am
My husband is a teacher in Dekalb county at a low income/at needs middle school I guess you would call it. I don’t think its his responsibility to supply anyone’s children with supplies. Teachers may not be in it for the money, but they do have bills to pay and their own family to care for. I sympathize with teachers, especially at my husband’s school were many of the kids are awful and ungrateful. I’m sure when the economy improves a flood of teachers will be bailing.
BeenthereDonethat
August 1st, 2009
4:05 am
Teachers can help parents save a lot of money by revising the school supply list that are posted in the major shopping centers. I know from experience that these lists of supplies are just another rush job to keep the principals off the classroom teacher’s backs. There are some items listed on these list that the students will never use. The classrooms will be full of glue and batteries and these supplies will be stored in a box and never seen again. If someone would be willing to take a positive stand and inform the principals that more is not always best. It is so hard to try to change the mindsets of those that feel like everyone is trying to get over on them. Teachers, let the administrators know how much is being wasted so you can get what is needed and stop requesting unnecessary BS.
Another teacher
August 1st, 2009
8:09 am
Re: Kleenex hogs. I, too, have had kids who used far more than their fair share of the classroom tissues due to allergies, chronic colds, etc. I’ve also found that those students’ parents are quite willing to send in more if you send an email or make a phone call and let them know politely why you need more. They appreciate the fact that you care about their child!
Val
August 1st, 2009
8:46 am
I will be buying all of the supplies. I don’t think it is the teachers’ responsibility. We have known all summer school starts in Aug. (Just like Christmas is Dec. 25th) With all of the Back to School Supply Giveaways in the ATL everyone should have supplies. One year I went to four.
gw.teacher
August 1st, 2009
9:34 am
In response to “Just Wondering”… you said that you can educated your two children on $500 – curriculum and supplies. Well, let’s just take $300 out for curriculum, which takes it down to $200 for supplies (100 for each child)….now, take that $100 and multiply it by the 20-30 kids in the classroom (and yes, I taught 32 one year in 4th grade in Gwinnett Co)….AND THAT IS HOW YOU END UP SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY!!!! do the math…. $3,000 per class… even if you have kids bring in supplies and cut it in half, you still are at $1,500.
gw.teacher
August 1st, 2009
9:35 am
educated=educate in my response above… and I am sure a few more mistakes. I am sure someone will correct me and insult me since I am an educator… but hey, this is a blog, not a term paper
mocha momma
August 1st, 2009
9:49 am
DB: ITA with everything you said. My husband is a teacher and last year was his first year. He works at an alternative school and was informed during pre-planning that it was not the school’s policy to request supplies from students. I was floored. At-risk, low-income, whatever; the parents should be responsible for their children.
This year, my husband again purchased supplies for his classroom, but he spent far less than last year. With no supply money, I was less than thrilled; but this is his profession. But he has decided to send home a list this year, regardless of what administration says. They aren’t offering ANY supplies at all to the teachers, so dictating how the teachers get them is unfair.
Heck, we een buy a box of copy paper to keep at home for him to use for work if necessary. The school has a lock-down on even necessary copies.
parent and teacher
August 1st, 2009
10:56 am
I wrote a longer comment yesterday that has yet to show up…I’m sure it will eventually, but in the meantime…
Basically, I agree that parents should not be asked to provide copy paper – that is absolutely the school’s responsibility, although being more thrifty and going paperless as much as possible isn’t a bad idea.
Next, the red pens and the dry erase markers are mostly likely for the students’ use, not the teachers’ Many teachers have the students grade some of their own papers and use small white boards (like the slate tablets of old) for assessment. Still, when an old rag or paper towel can be used, there is no need to ask for 4 erasers!
Also, as far as “community property” the only things that should be for everyone are tissues and hand sanitizer. I think we’ve created a vicious cycle – parents don’t send their kids to school with supplies because they don’t want them to be put in the community pot, which requires the students to borrow supplies from the community pot! Why don’t we just eliminate the whole community pot idea, expect ALL students to show up with at least something to write with and something to write on – the poorest of the poor will certainly be helped by PTA/PTO, churches and stores (don’t believe me ? Look at all the places taking donations). For the record, I have never had a community pot, nor were my kids ever expected to contribute to it, thankfully. I do pick up pencils, pens and what not – I also take stuff that my stuents clean out of their lockers and don’t want – I use those through out the year.
parent and teacher
August 1st, 2009
10:56 am
Ok – that’s two – does the system just not like my posts? I know they’ll show up eventually, but it’s really hard to be part of the discussion when the posts don’t show up.
parent and teacher
August 1st, 2009
10:57 am
Enter your comments here
parent and teacher
August 1st, 2009
10:57 am
Oh, great – the test “enter your comments here” post shows up…
Milton High School Teacher
August 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
I am taking advantage of the office supply stores rewards program and teacher appreciation specials. I do buy supplies that make my job easier. I am allowed a $200 tax deduction and use that as my rationale for spending my own money. Money is tight, but I chose, or was called to be a teacher and will not make my students carry the burden, nor will I. $200 budget, itemized deductions = school supplies.
karmabottle
August 1st, 2009
12:05 pm
I already bought supplies for my classroom. (Target and Staples together got about $75 off me) Each student will get 2 composition books, a coffee can with markers, glue, and scissors (to be used daily), and I keep a supply table with tape, eraser tops, staplers, paper clips, and a hole puncher. I’ll refill or replace those items in January.
Why do I do this every year? Because many of my ESOL students struggle with poverty, parents who work two jobs, and lack of transportation. The upside is that they are very appreciative, take care of their supplies, and don’t waste them. I don’t make a lot as a 7th year teacher on a bachelor’s salary scale, but I make more than their families do.
I want to point out that many of the supplies on the list that goes home are for the *entire* year–therefore, some of the items don’t have to be purchased in that quantity. You don’t have to get all of it in one shot. If you have several children, shop for deals, split up multi-packs, and buy generic brands on stuff that doesn’t matter.
The section with copy paper, Germex, paper towels, Kleenex, etc is a wish list. You don’t have to send them! You can choose one, and ignore the others.
I want to remind grumpy parents of this: in many counties in the world, secondary school is not free. Parents buy books, pay tuition, and pay for supplies, while still giving their taxes to the government for other purposes! Americans are really, really lucky to have a free and public education for their children. The least you can do is make sure they get to school with paper, pen, and clean clothes.
An aside: we discovered from a friend that LL Bean backpacks last years and have pretty much a lifetime warranty. Gone are the days where we buy a Walmart backpack that makes it halfway through the semester before the zippers break, the seams split, and the straps rip off. The last LL Bean backpack we bought was $30. It lasted three years before we *chose* to upgrade to a larger size, and passed that first on—not a single tear, rip, or broken zipper to be seen.
karmabottle
August 1st, 2009
12:23 pm
A couple of additional comments:
**The state and federal governments guide how money can be spent. Schools don’t get a lot of say so. Unfortunately, state money cannot often be spent on dry-erase markers…wish it could.
**Teachers don’t make as much as some of you think. Private school teachers make even less than us, so before you move your kiddo to private, be ready to shell out for supplies there too.
**You’d be shocked at how many parents won’t buy basic supplies.
**You’d be shocked at stuff we teachers buy for kids. I’ve paid for lunches, bookbags, pants, and even shoes. I’m not a sucker–I just can’t stand to see a kid be made fun of for toting his books in a plastic bag. I also get distressed when the shoes have to be hot glued to be held together.
**Schools don’t provide many consumables. Our school allots us $50 in consumables once a year. I use mine for copy paper and Expo markers. I buy other paper and more Expos from my pocket.
**The upaid furlough day our district required us to take yesterday: 30% of the teachers in my middle school were there anyway. I know because I was there too. I don’t know how many more came after I left at 3pm. We are one of the few industries whose employees will show up even when there is no compensation.
Reality
August 1st, 2009
12:42 pm
I wished the teachers of our state would worry more about our pitiful national ranking in education as much as they did their supply list. Teachers whine and complain all the time as the do a poor job. I wish my performance didn’t impact my job. In my industry, healthcare, we have had to cut back greatly on supplies, we don’t ask the patients to bring there own bloodpressure cuff. Get your act together and do your job.
mocha momma
August 1st, 2009
1:09 pm
Reality:
Teachers can and do get fired for performance. Unfortunately, it is quite often the best teachers that rankle the feathers of establishment that fall prey. Change, at least in education, must start at the top. And as far as your analogy goes, the more accurate phrase would be your boss requiring YOU to purchase your own blood pressure cuff for patients.
And if EVERY teacher were doing such a poor job, no one from the state of GA would ever go on to a decent college outside the state, never mind in it.
Reality
August 1st, 2009
1:28 pm
I do purchase my own Blood pressure cuff, and my own stethoscope. I do agree that change need to start at the top, but it doesn’t need to stop there. I grew up here, and I can tell you, ten years ago the bad teachers far out numbered the good teachers. I felt like I had to teach myself half the time, and I saw plenty of student that didn’t have the capacity to do that fall through the cracks. I don’t like it when people think their jobs absolve them from the hardships we all face. I believe there are not only good teachers, but great ones in this state. I simply believe that they are outnumbered by mundane or bad teachers. A creative teacher could think of a way to teach with less in the way of supplies just like the rest of society is learning ways to do more with less. Their is no magic force field that surrounds education to keep it untouched by this economy.
gwinnett educator
August 1st, 2009
1:49 pm
Reality-
I wish the adminstrators at my school were more concerned with national ranking than with other things that do not add up to a hill of beans. If they were, then they wouldn’t counteract the teachers’ efforts to improve learning in their classroom. They would not entertain issues that have NOTHING to do with student learning (who should move to the trailer, who gets to be next door to another teacher because they want to share connecting classrooms, who is doing what AFTER school). Instead of encouraging professional growth and advanced degrees, the attitude of a cold shoulder is given as if you are trying to take THEIR job.
-healthcare- I noticed after I had surgery (2 in nine months) that some of the charges were a little outrageous. Of course, I realized that I am charged more because I am able to pay and therefore cover for those that can not. We do the same with our field trips. The price is jacked up so that those that can pay can help cover the costs of those that can not. I disagree with that concepte because now, we have more parents not paying than those that do. And why should they??? You are notified a month ahead of time that $7 is needed. YET those same children talk about all of their gaming toys, have ice cream money, and the latest fashions.
-dry erase markers- I have used those a lot in the past and a lot of teachers use those daily in the classroom. The children will use them by writing on their desks (and cleaning with a wipe). Simple, hands on, uses no paper..the ability to write on their desks to answer questions. (I purchased my own last yr for the class to use).
Bottom line, a lot of cuts have been made over the yrs in education which leaves the schools searching for ways to pay for certain items. (of course I’m still not understanding the need for 3 plasma tvs in our school or others) I do not agree with parents being asked to supply the teachers with items that the schools once provided for us. It is going to take a lot more than a bunch of people complaining on a blog or to each other about the situations at hand. The question is, just how far many of us are willing to go.
ricardo still
August 1st, 2009
3:39 pm
The Georgia constitution , art. VIII ,section 1 para 1 ,(2009) provides a free public education for every child prior to the college or postsecondary level which shall be provided for by taxation. sections VI,para I and section VI, para IV of art VIII provide the manner of taxation to fund the cost of the free education and the activites necessary or incidental thereto. if the people want to stop the supplies extortion get a lawyer. it should take about 20 minutes in court for a judge to enjoin the county from requesting this additionl unauthorized tax.
you aren't a lawyer
August 1st, 2009
4:30 pm
You obviously have never been to law school. Supplies…things the students have for personal use, are not paid for by tax money. As a matter of fact, the law doesn’t require schools to provide transportation! We could save a ton of money by eliminating the cost of running the busses, of course the parents would b!tch. The facilities, text books and staff are really the minimum required.
As a taxpayer it would be a cold day in hell before I would allow one dime of my money to pay for some kid to have a pencil that they would simply throw away, lose or break. When you “give” people things, they don’t really have any respect for those things. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide for the needs of their kids.
Someone also asked about the “free/reduced meal program”, the parents self-report their income…many lie (big time!). Only about 1/10 of the applicants are asked for proof of income. Most of these parents have been playing the system for a looonnnnggg time and know what the odds are of getting caught. If they do get caught; there are no penalties, they are just not approved for the free/reduced meals for their kid(s).
parent and teacher
August 1st, 2009
4:48 pm
ricardo – except the supplies are technically voluntary – a donation, not taxation.
I have a better idea. How about raising taxes to cover the cost of all supplies and ask parents for nothing, and at the same time, provide an itemized bill to every parent for their fair share of the school taxes.
parent and teacher
August 1st, 2009
4:50 pm
reality – actually teachers don’t whine and complain “all the time” – exaggerate much? You’re on an education blog – people are responding to the topics posted (and many are being far more honest than they would be in real life). If you don’t like it, take your reading eyes elsewhere – Wooten’s Thinking Right blog is an awful lot of fun – or maybe the dating blog is more your cup of tea.
Teacher's Wife
August 1st, 2009
6:26 pm
This has been highly educational, but I had to tell you that I died laughing at the comment made by a poster in saying that these economic times will “weed out” the teachers that are “just in it for the money.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
As the wife, sister (to one brother and to another sister,) and daughter of public school educators, I have to say I would like a double helping of whatever you took before you started writing that post. Seriously. I would.
Bitter much? On behalf of my husband, I thank you and thank you for keeping your overly entitled self and offspring out of the public school system. With your insufferable attitude, I can only imagine what you’ve spawned.
Educators, rock on!
karmabottle
August 1st, 2009
7:57 pm
Oh, Reality….bless your heart. You should visit my district where 100% of our Title 1 schools (That means poor families.) made AYP, where 92% of my English language learners met or exceeded on the CRCT, and where we mean business. Gosh, I wish you could visit our classrooms.
I hope your children have been homeschooled since you value our free-and-public education so little. Surely they must have been…….otherwise you’d never have written such a terrible thing about thousands of hard working individuals that you do not know.
Debbie
August 1st, 2009
8:22 pm
As a teacher, I am very concerned about the possible effects of H1N1 in school. Is the county going to provide sanitizer, etc. to keep the kids safe? Do we have a plan in place for school closures? Does anyone understand there is a pandemic out there? This isn’t the ranting of a lunatic…just go to the CDC website for info. Not one meeting has taken place concerning protecting and informing our students. Forget supplies…we want to survive!
KIM
August 1st, 2009
9:36 pm
As a current educator, I am embarrassed by some responses. Educators, like all other laborers, are affected by the economy…our employers have just as hard a time meeting budget requirements as all companies. I believe the professionals will stand up to the plate and do whatever needs to be done to teach all students. Good parents will do whatever needs to be done. We will find out who has mettle… and who doesn’t.
Teacher and Parent
August 1st, 2009
10:30 pm
I am both a teacher and parent and personally I don’t think parents should have to buy all “the extras” and I DEFINITELY DON’T THINK TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND ANY OF THEIR MONEY!
Teacher and Parent
August 1st, 2009
10:34 pm
Wasn’t finished my comment….teachers are already underpaid. Everyone needs to sacrifice. I am still trying to figure out why my child’s Kindergarten teacher needs 2 reams of paper; that’s 1,000 sheets per child and he’s only in school for 180 days. I have taught Kindergarten before and that’s just too much xeroxing…he needs to learn how to write his own sentences and math problems. I have also taught in a different state, and fortunately, the schools are purchased all of the school supplies. Parents, buy what you can and teachers don’t spend any of your money!
Educator
August 1st, 2009
11:07 pm
I am amazed that the question of who should supply students with classroom supplies, was even posed.
I am a parent as well as an educator, it is my responsibility to purchase supplies for my daughter. As a teacher, I do what works for “me” in “my” classroom, so consequently when supplies are cheap at the beginning of the school year, I purchase extras so when students are without and parents do not replenish, we can continue to be effective in our learning.
Mom of 4
August 1st, 2009
11:39 pm
I received a ridiculously long list of supplies my child needed for kindergarten. I am out of a job and I simply can’t afford to buy all of the things. Also the list is very specific about the type of supplies, crayola, expo, 3M and whatnot. I went to the dollar store and got tons of stuff that just as good. What do my tax dollars go toward ?
south georgia
August 1st, 2009
11:44 pm
Which systems give their teachers so little supply money that the students are supposed to bring in copy paper? I’ve never heard of that before this blog discussion.
lm4k
August 2nd, 2009
1:51 am
As a home school mom, I will be buying all of our supplies this year. I constantly find deals on used books and end of season clearance for school supplies. I just upgraded our computer lab with a MacBook Pro which I purchased with a $100 educator’s discount plus tax-free savings. I buy mechanical pencils to eliminate the need for a pencil sharpener and wasting time. We’ve planned a Mediterranean cruise for our ancient history field trip. Frequent flyer miles and 60% discount cruises helps to keep costs down. So far, no furloughs…….
Bitter Much?
August 2nd, 2009
8:13 am
Teacher’s Wife,
I’m overly entitled because I wouldn’t want to subject my child to a person who would refer to her as a little monster? You make quite a few assumptions based on a couple of sentences written on a blog. Based on your comments, I assume that you are a bitter woman & your husband is a horrible teacher. May or may not be true, but its no different than what you did.
Terrapin87
August 2nd, 2009
9:24 am
I’m a teacher in a poor, rural district in South Georgia. Like many other teachers who have posted here, I love my job and pour my heart, soul, and money into it. However, I can’t help but wonder how many doctors pay out of their personal accounts for supplies for the hospitals in which they operate? How many lawyers pay out of their personal accounts for supplies for the courtrooms in which they appear? How many police officers pay out of their personal bank accounts for the guns, the forms, the gasoline for their patrol cars, or the other supplies they need to do their job effectively?
I will continue to pour my heart, soul, and money into my job, but those of you who aren’t teachers should understand that it is difficult financially and it is frustrating professionally not to have the support we need.