Get Schooled

By TeacherMom

July 24, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Last year I only spent $200 thanks to Sonny Money and a free school supply store. I’ll be able to shop again this year thanks to the generosity of several local businesses. In prior years, I have spent anywhere from $500-$700 buying the little things like pens, pencils, markers, notebook paper, and hand sanitizer, and more expensive items like cases of copy paper, class sets of novels, dictionaries/thesauri, bookcases to hold them all, a printer, and printer ink. (I had to buy my own because our system had “no money” to replace broken printers, although we had plenty of money to hire academic coaches and graduation coaches and a teacher quality specialist who never once showed up in my classroom or anyone else’s that I know of! But that’s another issue entirely.)

We get $50 from our system to purchase supplies for the entire year (which must be bought from the system; we can’t buy them elsewhere for a lower price.) We’re allowed 750 copies per semester (at 150 students, that means I get to copy a whopping 5 handouts for the whole semester…forget tests or quizzes), so I end up spending money making copies (thanks for the discount, Office Max!) when I can’t get projectors etc. from the media center to have a paperless classroom.

I guess my next big expense will be a projector so I won’t have to fight for the few available—for 100 teachers. Anyone want to donate??? smile

By Gwinnett Educator

July 24, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

While working in my former Dekalb school, the parents ALWAYS came up short. In my 10 yrs at that school, I recall 2 parents that sent their child to school everyday with their supplies. Most would start the school year off with a pack of paper, a few folders, a pack of pencils (if that) and that was IT! Some kind of miraculous way, that was supposed to last the entire school yr.

I never calculated how much I spent to keep the classroom stocked with pencils, paper, glue, etc.

In my present school, I have spent money on keeping pencils in the classroom…that is all. The parents have done an awesome job making sure their children have what is needed and often make donations.

I can not predict what it will be like this yr due to the economy, however, I do not think it will be too bad. The parents where I am now seem to really value education and their priorities show by them sending their children to school prepared and ready to learn.

By jim d

July 24, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

As a parent, I never worried about paying for my child’s supplies, we simply reduced the amount we were willing to pay for shoes. That in itself generally made the difference. What I always found irritating was the schools requests in ES for all supplies to go into a slush for everyone to use. Then as we progressed through MS and HS we were requested to send in stuff for each of our child’s classes to be indiscriminately used for whatever purposes.

Don’t misunderstand here, I have no problem with charity, I just have a problem when that help is being expected as a norm. by people that are just playing the system, sending their children to school in Designer clothes and $200 sneakers.

As a side note let me mention that I often supplied teachers with such things as reams of paper and packages of pencils, throughout the year, that were always appreciated and given without solicitation.

By jim d

July 24, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Gwinnett Educator,

Thats the one thing I’ll give Gwinnett, Parents generally care about education enough to spend some cash. Too bad though that they don’t care enough to get out and vote for the people that run the system.

By Old School

July 24, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

I spend between $200 and $500 each year on supplies for my classes. I’ve gone over that already this year and school hasn’t even started (I work off and in my lab during the summer).

My next expenditure will be on books for my classes to read during our 15 minutes of reading at the beginning of each block. I also bring in my Readers’ Digest and Consumer Reports magazines and scavenge castoff Time and Newsweek from our library.

Our small church has been collecting donations for several months and a team will take advantage of back to school sales to buy supplies. We’ll wait until our designated recipient school tells us they are running short during the year to drop them off. That has worked beautifully for us and the schools appreciate the supplies when they are running short.

One of my personal favorite donations to make is a gigantic bottle of hand sanitizer that teachers can refill their classroom bottles from when needed. The big box discount stores usually have these.

I have a consumable account that almost covers my lab’s expenses and a few donations from other departments help with printer cartridges (I have a very popular 42” large format inkjet printer and a 13”x19” desktop inkjet as well.)

Because the money always runs out, I buy printer cartridges, books, wood-cased #2 pencils, card stock, and peppermints. I put one of the giant hand sanitizer bottles in our small workroom (just off my lab) for refilling and for the other instructors to share.

And I am not complaining. If it chafed me to spend the money, I just would not do it. If I need it, I’ll buy it.

By jim d

July 24, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

Old school,

“If it chafed me to spend the money, I just would not do it.”

How refreshing to see that comment finally made. Thanks

By thomas

July 24, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Teachermom,

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I always thought it was SICKENING that some lowlife principals had the gall to place ridiculous limits paper and access to copiers when you know these people NEED these tools as part of their job.

That just shows you how little they think of you and the work you do. 750 copies a semester? I have heard of a 1000 copy a month limit, which is too low. I have heard of principals giving teachers one box of paper a semester. Come on people, the rationing has to stop. Give the people the tools they need to work. They are trying to work with our kids here.

Besides the last time I checked, middle and high school teachers have around 150 students. When I was back teaching fourth grade some years ago, I remember being able to get as many copies as I needed for 28 kids. There was no paper/copy rationing.

And yes, I remember those days that TeacherMom went through-buying, buying, buying supplies and things for the kids.

I am glad those days are over. Sadly, I have to admit, it’s not worth it. Many of our schools are not committed to students and education. I WAS BLESSED TO BEGIN MY CAREER AT A SCHOOL THAT WAS COMMITTED TO ME AND THE CHILDREN. I FREELY AND GLADLY SPENT MY OWN TIME, MONEY, AND ENERGY FOR THE SCHOOL AND ITS STUDENTS.

My advice to new teachers now is unless you are in a special environment, save your money. Use the $100 State Gift Card and no more!!! Besides if you go hog wild and stock your room yourself, when you leave you will just have a whole bunch of junk to move. I have seen teachers with couches, tables, bookcases, aquariums, assorted knick-knacks, collections of reading books, and of course boxes of assorted other junk (posters, centers activities, construction paper, etc.).

Speaking of teachers who spent their own money for their classrooms, I knew of a kindergarten teacher who had her husband build a play center in her classroom. That thing was big. Another fifth grade teacher painted a whole wall in her classroom. You can’t even get the county to paint a classroom. I remember one teacher let her daughter paint a big mural on one of her walls. But most of these teachers were old school, diehard veterans. A different generation. Not the “its-all-about-ME” group we have today. I am still in awe about that lady painting her room, though. On a Saturday on top of that!!!!!!

By HS Teacher Too

July 24, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

I can’t speak as to the parent side yet, since we’re not there yet. But as a teacher, I was a lot like Old School. I spent my own money (wisely, but liberally). I didn’t mind. It made my classroom a better place for learning.

Among the things I spent my own money on: colored copy paper; pocket folders (at the beginning of each school year Staples puts them on sale for 5-cents each with a limit of 15 or so. I’d go to my local Staples, explain I was a teacher and I neede 150, and they always accommodated me); a class set of rulers, protractors, etc; overhead transparencies; a printer for my desktop (and the ink, of course); notebooks, loose-leaf paper, pencils and erasers for my students who needed them (though I charged a nominal fee just to reinforce SOME ownership); dry-erase markers — gobs and gobs of them; tissues; games and “prizes”; resource books; windex and paper towels; class sets of four-function calculators; etc. Oh! And batteries for calculators, by the gazillion!

I have taught in well-to-do areas and not-so-well-to-do areas. I usually was able to get some things from the students just by asking. In the well-to-do schools I could have “contests” and ask each students to bring in one thing of their choosing, and the first class to 75% participation got a party. That didn’t work in the other areas because it wasn’t a matter of wanting to do it, it was a matter of ability to do it. Didn’t matter. As Old School said, if I didn’t want to do it, I wouldn’t have. Certainly other teachers at the school survived without doing it. I loved my classes, loved teaching, and (at least for the most part) my students enjoyed coming to my classes. If I had to buy a few supplies along the way to help them learn, I was just grateful to have the money to do it.

By thomas

July 24, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Oh, by the way-

Does anyone know the saying “Teachers spend the first ten years trying to change the kids, the next ten years trying to change the system, and the last ten years just trying to get the h_ll out.” What is the correct saying?

Thanks.

By happy2teach

July 24, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Best Site EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[www.donorschoose.com]

By Alecia

July 24, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

One thing I do not understand as a parent, is why don’t the teachers set up a fund and ask the parents to make a tax deductible contribution to the classroom? From my perspective, I would rather write a check for $200, take it off my taxes, close the books on the general classroom supplies, and not be asked to drive around town for particular items(which some requests have been rare). I know that there are several organizations that serve the community. However, there is a possibility that my child’s classroom will not be a recipient. It would be nice just to give the teacher money and be done with it.

By TheBlogger

July 24, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Schools don’t give anything - it all comes out of the teacher’s paycheck. Heck, most teachers even have to purchase their own board markers and red ink pens!

If any parent thinks that teachers should pay for their child’s supplies, think again. The teacher is there to do a job, not to supply your child with material things. You can at least do that much! Stop buying your child the newest Nike’s or the cell phone or the i-pod and buy the important things.

By Twiggs countypaddler

July 24, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Since I have 3 kids of my own in school the only supplies that I provide are ones that my students, middle school, leave behind in class. It is not nor has it ever been a classroom teacher duties or responsibility to provide supplies for other students.

By thomas

July 24, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Alicia,

Unless these are upper middle class parents, there will be no $200 “tax deductible contributions” for school supplies. There will be no $100 “tax deductible contributions” for school supplies. There will not be any $50 or even $25 “tax deductible contributions” for school supplies.

In many places, if these parents even get their child three packets of notebook paper, a package of pencils and a set of markers, they are doing good. Let me take that back— they won’t buy the markers.

Here’s the deal- no markers, no colored pencils, MAYBE CRAYONS FOR THE LITTLE ONES BECAUSE THEY ARE SO CHEAP, no glue, no rulers, no notebooks, no pencil boxes, or protractors, and d_mn sure no calculators. No bookbags either.

They will buy lots of nice new clothes and shoes. Now that did used to p_ss me off. Elementary school kids walking into the classroom dressing better than me and wouldn’t bring pencils and paper to school. Bringing little video games to school and not markers or glue. Kids who have Xboxes, Playstations, IPODS, all the new video games, TVs, VCRs, and DVD players in their rooms. But do not bring two pencils and a notebook to school.

By Old School

July 24, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

About the paper rationing: I print out a class set of each test, number them and keep them under lock & key. Students either use scantron answer sheets (which I provide) or their own paper depending on the test. I have variations of each test and answer keys and rotate their usage. Saves paper and my time in line at the copier.

I also give performance tests (my class is skills-based) and use a 1/2 sheet rubric to grade the students. My AutoCAD students have most of their work graded on the computer so no paper involved. They have the option of printing a letter sized copy or saving their work on their personal flash drive.

By Old School

July 24, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

By the way, I failed to make clear that the supplies my church and I donate is bulk stuff given to the teachers to mete out as they see fit. I also give each of my students one pencil on the first day. After that they are on their own but MUST have a pencil each day even if they are on a computer!

By Stacey

July 24, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

I’m a parent (not teacher) and my son attends a Title 1 elementary school (he’s going to 2nd grade). Although I’m able to provide him with everything on his list, I can understand that some parents may not be able to provide everything the first day, especially if they have several kids to buy for. Still, I think they should provide the the bare minimum (one box of crayons, a pack of pencils, glue stick, paper, etc instead of the 4 of each that are requested). Last year and the year before I printed a list from the school website and took all of the items on the “required” list with me to open house and sent the specific “wish list” items his teacher requested on the first day. Throughout the year, his teachers sent home notes requesting things that were running low (usually hand sanitizer, hand soap, Clorox wipes and Klennex) and always send whatever they need.

I’m fortunate to work within a couple of miles of all three of the major office supply stores and I am able to take advantage of the penny and nickel deals. I bought the limit of each item whether my son needed it or not and I plan to donate all of the excess to my church’s school supply drive. Some things such as protractors, compasses and dividers (for ring binders) he won’t need for several years but I bought them for the express purpose of donating them.

By Janine

July 24, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

*Thomas @10:21….It’s like this…The first 10 years you teach you think you can *help the children. The 2nd 10 years you teach, you think you can change the system. The last 10 years you teach, all you want is to get the H—- out of there and help pay for your grandkids to go to private school…

By Janine

July 24, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Thomas @10:21….It’s like this…The first 10 years you teach you think you can help the children. The 2nd 10 years you teach, you think you can change the system. The last 10 years you teach, all you want is to get the H—- out of there and help pay for your grandkids to go to private school…

By Stacey

July 24, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

For those of you are stocking your own classrooms, I got some really great deals at Walgreen’s this week…Highlighters for a nickel or pack of 4 for 39 cents, pack of 4 dry erase markers $1.99, pencil 19 cents per pack, etc. Last week Staples had pack 8 pencils for a penny and paper folders were also a penny at all of the big office supply stores. Keep your eyes open because they may do it again before school starts. Wal Mart has notebooks for a nickel though I have tried 3 stores and they have been sold out.

Hope that helps. :-)

By Twiggs countypaddler

July 24, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

“I can understand that some parents may not be able to provide everything the first day, especially if they have several kids to buy for.”

Have these people never heard of birth control?

By LJ

July 24, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

It’s also a good idea to catch the sales after school starts. I know Target marks things down tremendously. That’s when my household always stocks up on tissues (and how I ended up with a sparkly pirate themed box on my desk) and a few other items.

By blurb-o-mat

July 24, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Hey happy2teach:

Thanks for the heads up about www.donorschoose.com . What a cool site! The teachers sound so passionate anc creative, just the kind I like to help.

By em

July 24, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Last year, I bought no supplies with my own money. I used the $100 of “Sonny Money” and that was it. As Thomas pointed out a few days ago on the blog “Can Money Fix Schools,” school systems are teeming with money. I have grown weary of spending my own money when I see the wanton waste that occurs in schools. It seems that school systems have money to splurge on athletic facilities, school board retreats, consultants, new furniture for administrators, non-essential personnel, etc. but when it comes to budgeting money for direct instruction it is virtually nonexistent. Not one penny more!

By HS Teacher Too

July 24, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

em, While I don’t disagree with your logic, when it came to dying on that hill or doing what my students needed, I chose my students. That didn’t mean that I went out and bought a $1000 projector, though it might have been nice; but I bought what we needed both from my perspective and from the students’ to make their experiences better. Want to do 3-d modeling? I went to Target and bought play-doh for $30. That kind of thing.

I have a girlfriend, a fellow teacher, who writes lots of grant applications — and receives the money for the grants! She’s a better person than I, perhaps, but we both know that schools spend their money poorly. In the end, we didn’t want that to be a burden we put on the students.

Fortunately, there ARE enough people like you who “just say no,” so that people like us don’t create a system that doesn’t think it needs to fix its, because the teachers will all just do find their own work-arounds. So I don’t fault you your logic, and I think the schools (the taxpayers!) need people like you to keep on yelling. But at the same time, to just say no for me — at least at this point in my career — hurts my students more than it proves any political point.

Rock, meet hard place.

By em

July 24, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

HS, last year was my first year not buying supplies with my own money and for the most part everything was okay. The school year hasn’t started yet so right now I am talking a good game. As you just stated “rock, meet hard place.” I guess we’ll see how long I maintain my hardline stance when I see my students doing without. :)

By catlady

July 24, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

The power flickered and I guess my earlier post was a victim. In years past I have spent hundreds of dollars each year. Last year, it was about 150 plus sonnymoney. This year it will be only sonnymoney except for special things to increase my students’ experiential knowledge. (For example, last year I served them some food referred to in our book that almost none had ever tasted before.)

What I have trouble with is kids who have schoolsnackjunk money, but no pencils. Or they have one pack of paper in August and none the rest of the year. What are their parents thinking?

I am very thankful for organizations who provide basic supplies, and for the occasional parent who asks, “What do you need?”

I feel concern about the entitlement mentality that we seem to reinforce, however, in taking on yet another parental responsibility.

About paper rationing: last year my principal limited us to 150 copies per week (front and back counts as 2 copies). (tests not included) I work with 48 kids (plus hangers-on) each day. You do the math. Also, our system is consumable-workbook adverse. I think we will soon be relegated to slate rock and chert for the kids to use (if we can afford the water to clean the slate). : P

By happy2teach

July 24, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Blurb and all, Donorschoose.com is a great site for forward-thinking and creative teachers. Teachers can post “projects” that donors go on to the site and fund. Donors get to pick projects in their area, or that appeal to their ideals, or that use technology that they feel strongly about.

I was fortunate enough to get 6 projects funded last year and ended up with Scrabble boards (great for spelling and vocab), and almost 1000 books for a classroom library that my students LOVED!

I’d love to see a feature about the site in the AJC to highlight all the great things that are going on in the state!

By Twiggs countypaddler

July 24, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

“I feel concern about the entitlement mentality that we seem to reinforce, however, in taking on yet another parental responsibility.”

AMEN!

And in the not too distant future when we are buying our students clothes (okay I’m exaggerating) don’t be surprised and wonder how we as educators got to this point.

By Tony

July 24, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

This is an annual discussion topic and it always pains me that we have so many teachers who are not given the basics to operate their classrooms. This is a major leadership issue that begins in Atlanta. The funding formulas that we are required to us impede local school systems’ control over how best to meet the needs of the schools in their charge.

My kids are now both in the college phase - believe me I would rather be buying the $150 calculator, paper, notebooks and $200 sneakers - so I can speak as a teacher, principal and parent. As a parent I have always expected my kids to be prepared for class with whatever the teachers demanded. Some teachers have some very peculiar “needs” for the supply list.

As a teacher, I tried to keep my list simple: 3 ring binder, pencils, college ruled notebook paper, and dividers. If you were in chemistry or physics a calculator, ruler, compass, and protractor were required.

As a principal, I expect the teachers to keep the required list to $15 or less. If there are requests for other items, these may be listed in a section called “Wish List”. Specialized items are purchased by school funds instead of asking parents to travel about town to find them.

Teachers need to be politically active regarding the underfunded classrooms.

By Lee

July 24, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Let me get this straight, you want me to entrust my child’s education to a bunch of high dollar phd types that can’t figure out a budget that would provide basic teaching and sanitary supplies (copier paper, hand soap, dry erase markers, etc)?

On the bright side, I rode by the stadium the other day and the football field is looking goooooood.

Maybe we should hire the president of the Athletic Booster Club as superintendent.

By thomas

July 24, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the quote Janine!!!!!!

As for you teachers spending all that money, don’t do it. I used to be that way. I had everything imaginable.

You know what? In the end, it didn’t make a bit of difference. Save that money and give of your time, energy, and love. You’ll make a much greater difference when you give of yourself to the children instead of the stores. You’ll be happier. And you’ll have more money in your pocket and less to move (or give away) when you change schools/jobs.

By cricket

July 24, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

I have already spent at least $200 for the upcoming year getting my classroom ready. It is mainly things I could manage without but would rather not. When pre-planning starts we will get an assortment of “issued” supplies including pencils, pens, staples, tape, manilla folders, construction paper and such. We usually get a box of copy paper and are not limited on copies. We are however limited when it comes to functioning copy machines! We are a Title 1 school so we have more “goodies” than schools in our county that are in other side of the tracks. Unlike them we have LCD projectors in every room as well some other techno gadgets like Mimios that we check out. When the laser printer I share with two other teachers runs out of ink they simply give us another ink cartrige. I never knew how good I had it until hearing what goes on in other places. Of course, we have about 90% free or reduced lunch students and they will not bring in many supplies such as kleenex and hand sanitizer. Those things I will usually purchase. I have no idea how much I spend on prizes and candy and I don’t think I want to know!

This year I am saving my reciepts for the tax credit on teacher bought school supplies. It probably won’t make much of a difference and might not be worth the trouble.

I feel bad for the situation some of you are in. Just so you know, there are better places.

By thomas

July 24, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Oh and before I go, I have just have to say this— We really don’t need school supply lists and teachers should not have to go around begging for anything.

I went to school in the 1980’s. There wasn’t any school supply lists. I don’t remember the teachers crying over the lack of materials and supplies. My elementary school was quite spartan. The high school was just a little better.

I think that today we just have more expensive tastes and appetites. We want our classrooms to be stocked to the brim. We also doing more fancy projects and activities now than when I was in school.

Another thing— when I was in school, the school provided the scissors, markers, crayons, glue, tape, etc. Everything except pencils, paper, and notebooks. We let our schools get away with dumping this on the students and parents. They still have the money. But, alas, the central office and principals have it and it is frittered away and spent as they see fit.

We shouldn’t even be having this discussion. Sickening dogs spending school funds on fancy bookcases and desks for offices and conference rooms. Going on vacation, I mean “conferences and seminars”, at will. Spending money on expensive lunches. Throwing away THOUSANDS of dollars on consultants, speakers, coaches and the junk they recommend (books, kits, software, additional “training/staff development”, etc.) This is where the money for crayons is going.

By Janine

July 24, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Hurray for Thomas/!!Well said!!!!

I’ll just re type it in case anyone missed it. Thomas says, and quite correctly, :

“Throwing away THOUSANDS of dollars on consultants, speakers, coaches and the junk they recommend (books, kits, software, additional “training/staff development”, etc.) This is where the money for crayons is going.”

I taught in Dekalb for 32 years and the only worthwhile thing that came out of Buildings A and B out on N Decatur Rd, was a paycheck. I say a pox on all their houses. Just get rid of them!!!!!

By decaturparent

July 24, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

Our school’s PTA buys school supplies for every child in the school in bulk. Then they require parents to pay $25 for their children’s supplies. This saves parents TONS of money because of the massive bulk discount and it assures that the quality of school supplies is consistent. I LOVE this initiative.

I’ve always wondered how they handle parents who just refuse to pay for their supplies. I asked our PTA prez, and she said that about 95% of parents pay and the PTA just ends up floating the rest themselves… she says it really only turns out to cost the PTA about $400 to cover the freeloaders.

I will think of y’all trudging through Target for pencils and notebooks this weekend!!!!! All I needed to get was a lunchbox!

By WFC

July 25, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

When NORTHVIEW H.S. athletic boosters spent tens of thousands of dollars on a “Jumbotron” television system for the football field, I swore that I would never spend another penny of my own money on my classroom. I’m retired now so maybe you guys can find “right-out-of-college” fools to subsidize your egos.

By ironmaiden

July 26, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

Thomas and Janine - And don’t forget the attorneys! The taxpayers’ pockets were flattened while an eye-popping sum was no doubt spent for spousal breast enhancement surgery.