2 containers of Clorox wipes!!!! What the heck?! I thought having to provide paper towels was bad enough. Now they have upped it to Clorox wipes!

!! I know exactly what you mean, Jill! My seven year old's list was crazy . . . we had to buy 4 boxes of crayons and many duplicates of pretty much every other item on the list . . . as well as sponges, papertowels, and kleenex, etc. No clorox wipes yet, though.

The funding for public schools here in Hawaii is very bad, and there are always fundraisers going on to raise money for things like fans for the classrooms . . . that's so sad to me because who wants their kid to be stuck in a hot classroom with no air circulation? Of course we're going to pay for it, but sheesh . . . air circulation should be a given!

I am saving money for when my husband comes home on leave, and so I was very careful with the money buying school supplies and school clothes, and I still spent over $150 on one kid! Blech.

4 boxes of crayons?!  What the heck?!  My heart goes out to them about the air.  They really do need to do something about that.  Our schools don't have A/C either but we are in MI.  Most of the year we are happy to have heat but the end and beginning of the school year can be stifling!  Today, for instance, it was 59 degrees at the beginning of the day and 95 in the sun at the end.  The kids couldn't wait to get out of the building!

This wasn't meant to be rhetorical.  If anyone can explain the insanity, please, please, please do!

my school requires gym shoes to be left at the school, so you have to buy two pairs of sneakers.  Wasn't too thrilled with that.  We also had to pay a $3.00 "party fund" amount plus volunteer to make, bake, or volunteer to help during one of the parties.  We have at least 4 fundraisers that you have to do.  She's only in 1st grade.  It's just out of hand.  (Of course, I'm bitter because I pay an extra 6 mills for our schools, which equates to over $600 a year *above* my other property taxes....)

And, no, I have no explanation.  We need a teacher to tell us what the heck is going on!

my school requires gym shoes to be left at the school

My guy had to do that in kindergarten and it was a huge waste since he only got to wear the shoes a few times before he outgrew them.  At least he has a younger brother who can where them eventually.  As for the "party fund" goes, I just don't get that either.  I think that sort of thing is giving our kids way unrealistic expectations.  Whatever happened to making party decorations out of construction paper?  I just don't get it!

Whatever happened to making party decorations out of construction paper?

Oh!  But you can't have the children make the decorations!  No!  That can't be!  You have to have the parents make it all and see which over-stressed soccer Mom can out do the other ones!  Think of it as a Mom compitition.

Gack.  I long for the days when school was about education and the rest of the crap was a bonus.

And, don't even get me started on all the half days that they get off......

When I asked a frined who works at the school about the crazy list of supplies, I was told: " We have to ask each parent to provide extra to ensure all children have supplies." Apparently, many kids don't bring supplies....at all. Even if they can afford it. (Don't tell me a CPT can't buy school supplies) So when you buy extra items, you are really providing for the kids whose parents refuse (or unfortuantely, can't) provide.

My friend suggested that you buy all the supplies and send ONE of each item in at the beginning of the year...Include a note to the teacher that you would be " happy to send more when they start running low". Otherwise, you sometimes get another request for supplies after Christmas, sorry "Winter Break".

From the teacher:

As I'm sure you all know...I'm a new teacher, first year ever, etc., etc. I moved 1500 miles away from my family with $300 in my pocket and hopes that I'd get at least part of my sign on bonus (turns out I did get half of it: $1000, but then you need to find an apartment, buy lots of things for your classroom, eat, etc.) I think its silly about the gym shoes, you know? I don't have kids wearing high heels to class, and if they wear inappropriate shoes, then I guess I'd just make them sit out. My kids know the schedule way better than I do! They know which days they need to wear tennies.

Our school has a "supply room" where we can order crayons and such. Mind you, everything is backordered and I should get the crayons I ordered by May, just in time for school to be over.

I guess my thing is, I really am in the classroom only 10 months out of the year. But I'll probably spend those other two months planning and wondering what I can do better for the upcoming year. And, I ask for things like paper towels and kleenexes because we have a sink and we have runny noses, and I can't afford to buy all of those things for my classroom all by myself. I probably will have to ask parents to send another box of crayons as we're only into this 3 weeks and they're already getting kinda crappy (we will use them until there's no more left to be used, however). When kids start getting really sick I'm going to have to ask for more tissues to be sent. I'm sorry, I just cannot afford to buy everything that my classroom needs by myself.

But you're right...where do we draw the line. Some teachers this year asked parents for a ream of copy paper, etc. When it comes time for parties maybe I'll see if parents want to donate some decorations or treats for the kids or something? Is that a good idea? I really don't even know...

When I asked a frined who works at the school about the crazy list of supplies, I was told: " We have to ask each parent to provide extra to ensure all children have supplies." Apparently, many kids don't bring supplies....at all. Even if they can afford it. (Don't tell me a CPT can't buy school supplies) So when you buy extra items, you are really providing for the kids whose parents refuse (or unfortuantely, can't) provide.

That's what gets me...you shouldn't be expected to be forced to provide supplies for those whose parents won't get it (Most children have access to private help organizations that will ensure that they have the school supplies; even as homeschoolers, they make sure our kids are set up). For those students who need the extras, however, it makes more sense to have each class make a list of items needed and SUGGEST donations. This "want list" could also be something parents could take to work with them; many businesses would be happy to provide.

The amount of money we spend per student is rather high (I don't know the national average on this; in Wisconsin, the local school district receives $8500 per student...this does not count infrastructure costs). We're simply not getting value for our money.

We're simply not getting value for our money.

Exactly!  Why are the teachers and parents expected to provide basic supplies like paper towel and cayons?!  I also think it is a load of bull that they have to bring duplicates to cover kids that don't bring any for themselves.  And the line between need and want is so blurry these days noone can discern between the two.

Our first PTO meeting is coming up and I am going to be sure to be there.  I really need to ask a lot of questions and find out why our school will spend $20k on a playscape but can't afford to provide kleenex in the classroom.  I grew up just fine with a slide and some swings on the playground.  We did this thing called "playing".  We would use our "imagination".  I think kids are being provided so much stuff now that they aren't forced to find their own fun anymore.  I am truly concerned about the future of this generation.

School supplies this year for my 3 kids cost me over $150.  I also had to pay a 'textbook rental fee' of close to $40 per kid.  So, $270 later...the flyer for school pictures comes home.  It's going to cost me another $95 to get the basic package of pictures for each of them.....

..and they say public schools are free.