Question About School Supplies

Well, I am a teacher and I think that most of the supplies you have around the house are fine to send. The only thing I would suggest you send new and unused would be pencils. They should be new. Pencils get used up quickly and it would be better if they started out new. Thanks. J. K.
There is one thing I would like to add. If you are having financial difficulties, please talk to your child's teacher and explain that you can't get all of the supplies at once. Find out which supplies might be needed later, such as tissues, or play dough , and let the teacher make a note that you would like to be called upon later for some of the supplies. If you really can't afford to buy supplies because of difficult economic times, let your child's teacher know this too. She will find the supplies from other teachers at her grade level, or buy them for your child herself. I work at a title I school, and one of the adopters has donated school supplies for the children who cannot afford to get their own. I do not know if this is the case in your school ,or district, but it may be. Good luck. J. K.

Don't buy what you already have unless there's a specific request...sometimes a brand name item really is a lot better than the generic!

It does not have to be new nor name brand. Most items will be put into a bin. My kids have always gotten their scissors back, etc. (Their name was on it.) So some things are known as theirs and they get to keep it in their box and other things they just get back. But, crayons and markers and paints are basically too much to keep track of and avoids fights. Some teachers separate blues and reds, etc. into separate bins.

New or gently used supplies are always fine. Just use your best judgement. Volunteering in the schools, I have witnessed that many students don't bring supplies so that is why it is necessary to share the supplies with everyone. Personally, I think this is great.

The only thing I would change is sending the items back home at the end of the year. I wish the schools would take it to a daycare or a non-profit agency to use them.

Each year my son, brings home bags of supplies that I won't use again. For the simple reason, as he gets older he doesn't need as many supplies.

Recently I took several large ziploc bags to a church b/c I just can't use them.

I just wanted to say that I found it funny that there could be so much hostility about school supplies. People are entitled to their opinion and sometimes opinions are misconstrued. And as my mom always says, you don't know what other people are going through. So the only answer is prayer.

Have a blessed day and don't forget to thank God for all that you have! I am truly blessed.

L.

Don't forget to pick up things like pencils, erasers, crayons, tissues, wipes, etc for the middle of the year. I pick up things every time I go to the store (Big Lots, Dollar Store, HEB) and keep them until Christmas. I send the box to the teacher to give out as needed. Sadly enough our school system does not supply these things. My sons school supply list asks for a ream of copy paper from each child. I live in a "good" school district and they cannot afford paper or better salaries for teachers...Makes you wonder where the money really goes...I know our teachers are happy with anything, new or gently used. It is for the kids. CB

What happens with school supplies is largely dependent upon the school and teacher. Some teachers pool supplies, as your daughter mentioned. Some teachers keep them separate, like me.

I make sure that each and every item is carefully labeled with the child's name and give it to only that child to use. The exception is tissues. (It would be ridiculous to have 22 boxes of tissues opened at once!) We use the boxes of tissues one at a time. We usually run out of tissues (and some other supplies) by Christmas or shortly thereafter. Anything left over at the end of the year gets sent home with the child to whom it belongs (in my classroom), although honestly I have little left at the end of the year aside from rulers, scissors, and maybe partially used glue or markers.

I also spend thousands of dollars to buy school supplies. I work at a low SES school where often less than half the kids come with supplies. Guess what? Those supplies come out of my pocket because I can't have half a class without paper and pencils all year long. I don't mind gently used products at all; I would welcome them! Used products are most certainly better than none at all! And I totally understand these supplies are expensive!

What I would suggest is that you send what you have. Also, I would talk to the specific teacher your child will have. Find out what she does in her classroom? Does she pool supplies? Does she keep them separate? Then you will have a better idea of what to do. Also, I recommend labeling EVERYTHING. I have a preschooler and a second grader. I label every pencil, every marker, every eraser...I got a lot of supplies back this past year! So I am thankful we can send those same supplies back for this year!

Each school is different each grade level can be different. Some of them the kids keep their own and at others it is placed into a class set.

Just do as you planned and send what you have. Unless they are very specific, it should be fine.. I know at our daughters elementary school, there were times they would be very specific about certain items, but otherwise it should be fine.

I have been a kindergarten teacher for over 30 years and have spent $1000's on supplies so that all of my class has supplies throughout the school year. I do 'pool' all paper, pencils, markers, kleenex, hand soap sent because everyone benefits from the group use. (And I usually run out each year.)
I do label each child's supplies and try to give them theirs as I replace used ones throughout the year.
I always pick up colors, glue, gluesticks, etc. when they are on sale before school starts so those that have no supplies will never know the difference.
I have extra scissors that I keep, and those that don't have any or theirs do not cut well, love getting to use the teacher's scissors.
I do not return unused supplies at the end of the year because we always go through what was on the supply list and most of what I furnish each year. (I have had parents check to see if any of their child's were left, and very surprised when they see everything was used and that I had also furished addtional supplies to everyone during the year.)
I love kindergarten and will do anything to be sure their first year of school is a wonderful experience!
(My soap box: the backpack that smell of smoke and the child has no supplies from home.)
Our PTO does do the packaged supplies, but they are only ordered at the end of the school year for the next school year.
Some of the grocery stores do have packaged supplies but not everything is correct, but at least they are tryng.
Our local Wal-Mart tries its best. It does get all the local schools (20+) supply lists in the spring for the next school year and has alot of supplies available. But, it is what the corporate office has decided, that is sent and it is not always the right item or the great quanities needed, or so it seems.
We teahers do adapt what is sent, and return home what is not usuable or what was not requested.

Most teachers pool the folders, paper, construction paper, glue, things like that. They also typically take up the pencils and hand them out as needed to the child whose name is on the pencil. Yes, take the time to write the child's name on each pencil. At my son's school he takes a pencil box where he keeps his crayons, scissors, pencil sharpener, and any other "personal" things we allow him to take (always with his name on them).

Parents who have not been in the classroom do not understand that most of the supplies are used up, especially crayons and glue, by the middle of the year. Sometimes the teacher will send a note home requesting more supplies. Most of the time, however, the teacher will purchase these things out of their own pocket with the measly pay they make because the parents don't bother to send additional supplies. Most teachers are smart enough to buy extra of these things when the are on sale before school starts each year, so it doesn't cost so much out of their own pocket.

Some school do provide the construction paper and manilla paper so that all the colors are the same.

Sending slightly used stuff is fine. Don't send it if you expect her to bring it back. The most "well kept" child will loose or have things stolen during the year.

As mentioned, it does depend on the school. Our school does put all supplies together and pulls from it for anyone in class. I do not like it, but have no say. So saying this, no need to buy any fantasy folders, since she might not get to use it. Also some of the supplies (usually Kleenex, pens etc.), are also used by Teachers. With being involved in PTA I have come to find out what our state does not supply for the schools and teachers. Its sad.

I would send your items, if they are in the shape you mentioned, they will be just fine. Best wishes. and be involved!

I would recycle school supplies, too, if in good condition. Many of the others have mentioned it, that at the younger ages most of the school supplies are community property. That's why the school supply list is pretty specific (even down to the color and brand) on types of scissors, pencils, paper, glue, etc....
For example, if everyone sends plain #2 pencils except for a few parents that send the glittery, pretty pencils, chaos ensues as all kids battle for the glitter pencils and there arent' enough. And so on.

By about 2nd or 3rd grade when they have to be more responsible for their own supplies, you will be buying more and more for your own kids. Kleenex, paper towels, notebook paper....will still be community items.

High school gets really fun. When the kids go the first day with a spiral notebook and a pen and all the various teachers give a very detailed, super specific list of all the things they require for their class. Must have this model calculator, use only black ink pens, never blue...etc.... And you have 2 days to go find it all.

I say make the most of the recycled supplies while you can!

If you have things in good condition, then send those in. Most of the things that you have left over are the ones that your daughter will keep instead of the teacher collecting.

Some things will be collected like the pencils, tissues, erasers, paper and usually folders. One reason I collect those things is the extras will be lost or "wasted" by the many of the students. By collecting them and then handing them out as needed, it saves on products for everyone. One year I didn't do this and boy, did I learn my lesson. Students packs of paper were gone within the first month. Folders disappeared and pencils were small or lost within the same amount of time.

It is sad that the state and districts no longer provide some of the things we think they should - tissues, wipes, baggies, etc. As a teacher, I still spend well over $500 a year out of my own pocket and most of that is not reimbursed. I usually go to Sams and buy tissues (especially if we have a lot of temperature fluctuations) and pencils beginning in March because we have run out. The special area teachers beg tissues, etc from us since the school supply list is only for the classroom teachers, and they either must use their own money or their small supply budget.

I will get off my soap box now! :-) Your things are fine!

J.

Not all teachers do "communal" supplies. I'm sure it depends on the school, grade, teacher. And there is not reason to go buy new stuff if you have stuff at home already. My son brought home his washable markers last year and they didn't look like they'd been used, so they will go back with him this year. :-) I hope your daughter has a great year!

It depends on you. I am a teacher and the supplies to me become used the first day. the crayons should be new and pencils but the scissors and things that dont look bad can be used.

My "baby" is graduating this year (WOOHOO!) and he's the 4th. I have always included anything from the year before in their supplies as long as they were in good shape. Also, some items (like Kleenexes) may be shared but most things will be for use by your daughter only. BE SURE to mark EVERYTHING with her name. I even used a fine tip permanent marker to put my kid's initials on their pencils when they were in elementary. You'd be totally amazed at how many pencils & crayons walk off if they're not marked. Another thing I learned over the years.....buy in bulk and store them because replacements will be needed throughout the year and school supplies are NEVER on sale when that folder wears out or they want new crayons because all theirs broke. This is especially true for red pencils (and pens later). I don't know why but that's the first thing the stores sell out of.
I always kept a rubbermaid bin with extra binders, folders, paper, pens, pencils etc etc. Not only was I able to replace things during the year without paying an arm & a leg, the extras came in handy if a neighbor was unable to find a particular item or was having a rough go of it financially. (There were two single mothers on my street & the kids were all about the same age.)
You also need to pay attention if the teacher requests NOT to send a particular item. These requests are usually made to avoid confrontations from jealous classmates.

It is common for schools to combine all supplies and divide them among the students. There is no problem with using "not new" supplies. Even if they were just for your daughter, they would still be fine, so they will be fine for other kids.

You put a smile on my face this morning. Every year my mom would pull out school supplies from the previous year and we would see what we could reuse. You don't need to have new everything. To make it special for your daughter go to the store and have a list of the few items she and you get to pick out together.

I see no problem with this but check with the teacher,there may also be some students that can not get any or very few school supplies and they need to get them from somewhere. That may also be the case. We all want our children to have the best things and when they need them have them there for them. Use your heart and also check with the teacher to see what she thinks would work the best and what her plans are for them. If possible also let the teacher see them and make her mind up also.

I recycle all my kids school supplies! I give them new markers, crayons and colored pencils every year, but any binder, notebook, folder, pencil holder, ruler, scissors, etc that is in good working condition, it goes back to school the next year.

One thing to keep in mind...if they need it at school, it is a good possibility that they will need it for homework as well, so when everything goes on clearance the week after school starts, stock up on the stuff again! Nothing like doing a project and not having any glue or construction paper on hand!

Good Luck!

Even if the teacher is going to divy it up, I would put the kids name all over it! It ensures you are going to get it back at the end of the year. Also, each teacher is different and not all divy it up. Some are super organized and will give each kid a tote for their own supplies to use as they need throughout the year.

I would contact the school/teacher and find out what they are expecting of you. Kindergarten is usually shared supplies. If it is 1st grade up they are usually not shared items unless volunteered to be shared.

I think the supplies you have would be just fine. The last thing as a teacher we want is to not have the supplies to do whatever assignment we are having the students work on. Putting the 'opened' crayons or markers in a pencil box really helps with the not perfectly new look. In a few weeks everyone's supplies look used!

Good luck!

Looks like I will be in the minority here.
For Kinder, I would get all new just to help your child be excited about school! Write her name on everything-even if it is to be shared.
Your best bet is to talk to the teacher. As they get older, what I got in the habit of doing was just sending the same stuff from last year and then donating new items to the teacher around Christmas when the 1st of the year stuff was worn out or all used up. I would hold off on some of the unusual requests to see exactly what the purpose of it is. For example, our list included 35mm film which the teacher used to make scrapbooks.
I used to teach and hated seeing the waste at the end of the year-kids throwing away spirals with only 3 sheets written on, full glue jars, rulers, etc. So I would have the kids give me their "trash" and I would recycle it to use in my classroom. I still do this at home and once a year, take the stuff to the school.
I wish society would let us get back to the custom of being acceptable to use things until they are worn out!!

Yes, the supplies are for all in the pre-k and kindergarten age bracket. As your child progresses through school more and more items are individual versus class in nature.

Here is the thing. The federal government's money only stretches so far...we have seen this in how the teachers have to fight for every penny they earn at negotiations, and are still among the lowest paid profession in the nation...we've seen this in how many schools have to cut back on offering as wide a variety of electives for older students. We've seen this in how our children's school supplies list has grown to include things many of us (and our parents) took for granted as always being provided by the scool for our children's education.

If you think rationally about it. When you are at home, do you let your child keep all of her art supplies, pencils, crayons, scissors, etc where she can get into them without supervision and whenever she so chooses? Most of us do not. Add to that 15 to 18 mor children you are caring for at the same time with one other person there to help you keep and eye on things, keep them running smoothly, and keep them organized...so imagine trying to spend the time finding and making sure each child gets the crayon box with his/her name on it, or the pencils that were purchased just for them??

Imagine even more trying to keep the fighting of 15 - 20 students to a minimum when little "Susie's" mom and dad were able to afford a package of crayons with better looking colors in it than say little "Sallie's" versus putting all crayons out of the boxes into one bin in the center of a table for 4 -5 kids to share out of.

Please try and understand that at this age this is actually highly appropriate and most likely things you would do in your own home to keep the peace between siblings...

It helps the children to be independent without feeling inferior to one another because someone has "better" than someone else. Most likely, most of the children, if not all when get a chance with the "better" scissors. (and I put the word better in quotations because 4, 5 , and 6 year olds have a much different definition for this than we adults do...to them the "better" scissors might be ones that are sparkly purple even if they don't cut very well)

It helps them learn to share and be tolerant of one another in a large classroom setting.

Having been on my soap box, I will say I have been in your position and have felt EXACTLY the same way...What I did to give myself a happy medium is purchase a couple of items with my child's name on them for her to use that she kept in her back pack and explained asking her teacher if she could use them. I also had a couple for her to use at home. I will tell you, the items in the backpack (that the teacher ALWAYS had foreknowledge about) was left in pristine shape...the reason??? my child preferred sharing with her classmates.

I just wanted to give you another perspective to look at the situation from...Hope I did not offend anyone int he process...

Good Luck and congratulations on this huge step in your child's growth!!! ;-)

I work at my sons elementary school and they suppiles all the way up to 3rd. grade!! It is absolutley crazy to me. We buy our kids supplies and he takes them to school for the teacher to put them all in one bucket and divi them out. My son bring back his pencils and several other things that he hid in his backpack that he did not want to give up to be community property. I would send what ever you have from home. Kinder will have 4 kids at a table with a cup in the middle with a few crayons for kids to share. It drives me crazy! Thats how our kids get sick, sharing germs all through the classroom. Needless to say save your money, B.

Hi G.,
It is fine to recycle school supplies. As for whether or not the supplies will be your daughter's or shared by the class, that seems to be up to the individual teacher. My oldest is in 7th grade, and her teachers in elementary ran the gamut from having the children label every single supply with their name and then put them away in their own desk, to having them dump each separate item into a bin for the whole class to share. Some would have them label some of the supplies while sharing others. You won't really know until 'meet the teacher' night or the first day of school. But, it is fine to send in gently used supplies (I'd go for new for things like crayons and glue, which get used up, but for rulers and scissors and that sort of thing, it really doesn't matter if they're new). Good luck to you and your daughter!

Yes, school supplies are being used by ALL of the students these days and have been for a few years. It wasn't that way when my son first started school. But three years into it, I got a list what was ridiculous.

I would send items that I had at home for my child, and also buy a few of the supplies, maybe about 25% of them. I wait for the supplies to go on clearance and then I buy more. I started this after the first year of "group supplies", and I seen how much unused school supplies they had at the end of the year. Instead of the teacher keeping it for the following school year, she was opening it and giving it to the students.

Once the supplies go on clearance, buy them up and ask the teacher every grading period if they are running low on anything. If they are, send it to school with your child.

I hope this helps.

I have been on mamasource for several months and have always found the moms to be supportive, generous, and compassionate. This is the first time I have seen such selfish responses. My children have gone to school in two different states. In Texas we have experienced the "shared" school supply system. In kinder I was suprised when we put the supplies in the middle of the room and left them there, since this was not what happened when I was in school. As my daugter got older I understood and appreciated the shared mentality. My children are being educated in a caring compassionate environment that encourages the success of every child regardless of his or her socio-economic status. Even though my children have all the supplies they need that is not the case for everyone. Can you imagine what it must be like to be the child who doesn't have school supplies? What are the possibilites of success when they don't have the pencils, paper, and crayons they need to do their work? How does this affect how they feel about themselves? In my childrens' school most of the teachers also publish a list of extra things that are needed throughout the year such as crayons, pencils, wipes, disposable cameras, and glue sticks. I always buy extra at the beginning of the school year so I can send them to school when they are needed. My kids have also gone to school in Louisiana where I was required to put their names on each crayon, marker, glue stick, pencil, and eraser. It was very obvious when a child didn't have supplies. These were generally the children who made the worst grades and were constantly in trouble. I would rather have my children in a school where the success of all students is valued, even if that means that I have to buy extra supplies for other students. I don't care if my child has to use the Rose Art crayons instead of the Crayola crayons I purchased as long as every child gets to use crayons.
In response to the original request, I believe the teachers will appreciate new, gently used, brand name, or generic supplies. Please send what you have, as there are so many children who have nothing at all.

Unless you already have the exact type of ruler they need in Kindergarten, you will need to purchase the ruler that the teacher has requested. If you do not have plain jane #2 yellow pencils - you will need to purchase that type of pencil. And so on.....

The schools specify what materials are needed so that everyone has exactly the same thing and no one child is envious of what another one has.

G.-No, all school supplies do not have to be new. We look around our house prior to buying any and anything that is still in good shape, my daughter takes with her. I DO NOT support buying for the whole class and I think it's sad that the teachers have to provide alot of these items with their own money. Indeed, where is the money for school funding going to? I send my daughter with enough supplies for her and if more are requested throughout the year by the teacher, we'll donate some depending on what's needed. Unfortunately, there are alot of parents who do not buy any supplies for their children and rather let someone else pick up the tab.

I remember when I was in school, everyone brought their own, we had plenty to get us through the school year & there was no such thing as providing for the class. Obviously, times have changed.

Ok...I'll get off my soap box now!!

You should just "buy" the supplies from your school PTO and not FRET about the items. Yes, it might save you $5.00...but in time and effort..your savings is more!
You can buy them at Meet the Teacher in most cases.
And...the money goes toward the school for supplies!
If you live in CyFair....we all know the schools need the cash since we are soooo poor! (That's another subject)
Good Luck!

P.S. Yes, they should be new supplies if you choose to purchase your own.

G.,

The supplies are technically for your daughter. I'm personally not in favor of pooling all of the supplies because some kids misuse them and why should the rest of us pay for that? I would send in whatever you would send for her. If they don't like it, too bad! They can give her used stuff to "her".

Take care,
C.

G.,

You're fine mixing the old and new. Your kids are lucky to have such a caring mom.
Good luck to you and her on her first year of school.

D.

I would think that you could use those. However if this is for Kinder. I recommend that you buy the school supply pack from the school if they offer that. In K the suppies are all mixed up and shared by all so it is eaiser if everything is the same. Also, I found the packs to be cheaper. I wanted to get my son his own things and spent way more than the pack so I returned all the stuff I bought. I packs arnakt offered then I am sure what you have that is not old will be fine.

Personally, I think it's rediculous for parents to have to do this now; especially when it says on a lot of these lists, certain brand names and the kids/parents getting in trouble (like not being able to attend school unless they bring these things) if they don't get what's on the list. I don't see why you couldn't give your daughter the things around the house that you're not using to bring for school. It'd certainly save you money & rid the home of unused items for school. I don't see anything wrong w/it at all so I'd say go ahead! If the school complains, just remind them that they're lucky to have these things & that the list doesn't say anything about the items needing to be 'new'. They don't hafta know they're not new. They should appreciate what is brought no matter if it's used. I'd go for it! Good luck.

G.,
No the stuff does not have to be used... and that is a great way to save money. I noticed that you have a 9 year old(going to 4th?) and in our school district 4th grade keeps there own supplies, they are not given out to everyone.

At our school, each kid is to bring supplies. On the first day of school there are boxes where you put each item. They pretty much share everything and then when they run out of something such as kleenex the teacher will ask for donations. I don't go out and buy all her supplies since the PTA at school takes up money at the end of the school year and then puts together a container full of supplies my daughter needs. All I have to do is walk in and there they are. If you want to let your daughter bring things from home I'm sure that's fine as long as the pencils are new or practically new.

Bottom line is don't fret about something like this.

No the stuff does not need to be new. And yes the teachers do that now and I do not like it one bit, why don't they just keep the stuff until next year and that way parents would not have to keep buying again and again. We used to take such care in buying just the right ruler etc. that would be the best to use and read, then to find out it all goes into one pile.

I would also bring this up at a PTA meeting because parent are mad about this practice. Also, we learned the hard way that that list you get is usually not what that teacher wants so wait until you talk with your childs teacher and get the list from her.

Also, it is the practice of the school to request a certain paper that you can only buy from the school store by the PTA and this is done only to raise money for the PTA and school. This also needs to stop. The reason I know all this is because I was very active in the school.