"Socialist" School Supply Closet

So today I mosey out to the mailbox to get the mail and get the “prized” school supply list and class schedule that my daughter has been drooling over for weeks. It’s always fun to buy new notebooks with glossy photos of the “Vampire Flavor Of The Month” pasted all over them and clicky pencils with $10.00 designs printed all over. I still remember those days slightly but something has changed over the last few years and I am on to them!

It started with the whole 4 bottles of hand sanitizer and 4 boxes of tissues and grew to monstrous proportions shortly afterwards. Around about 4th grade the list suddenly went to thrice the cost. And for those of you still buying school supplies... you know it is already WAY too much.

I still had the silly requests for 2 red folders (I swear to all that is holy that I drove to 15 stores one year and there was not a red folder to be had. I picked a white one. My daughter said “What if the teacher gets mad?” at this point, I wasn’t too happy myself. I told her I would buy her a red sharpie and the teacher could color it. ) 4, 3 ring binders....2 black...1 green. WTH? It’s like a treasure hunt for Sesame Street. And then I noticed it.... 5 packs of paper. 2 boxes of pens. 2 boxes of pencils. 1 box of erasers. 2 packs of dividers, etc. I bought it all like any normal parent. The tab jumped to almost $50 by the time we were through (A few years back. It is more now as she is entering H.S.). That is a lot of cash when times are tight.

My daughter comes home from the first day of school the first year after the costs went way up and after telling me about her day, proceeds to tell me that the teacher put her extra folder dividers into a closet and wouldn’t let her keep them. I asked why. She said she put everything in there. All the extra paper, all the pencils, pens, tissues, etc. I asked if everyone bought there stuff and had it put in there and she said no. A little over half of them bought stuff in. Halfway through the year, I get a request for more supplies. Again, I am like WTH? I always keep paper and other stuff here and she takes it as she needs it. Why do I need to send more when she has everything she needs. WHY? Because the other kids needed it and they used up everyone else’s stuff.

Don’t get me wrong here. I know times are tight. Trust me. I feel it almost every time I have to purchase just the supplies my child needs on top of the clothes, shoes, etc. You know how it goes. And I KNOW others have it worse, but come on. I know half the kids in this school and most are walking around with Iphones, Blackberries, laptops, etc. and the parents can’t spring for their own child’s pencils and paper? For the last few years I have been contributing to the a “Socialist” school supply closet!!! So I buy for my daughter AND for those who choose not to buy for their’s.

This infuriates me as my money is as tight as everyone else’s. This year’s list is more of the same. I have decided I am done. I will purchase what my daughter needs and keep the rest here for her to grab (like usual) when she needs it. I figure I can shave more than a few bucks off the list by not providing for those who refuse to do it for themselves.

I have no problem whatsoever in sending a small amount extra for those who are worse off than we are, and some are. But there are plenty that (as usual) are bumming off everyone else. I believe that I will contact the principle and ask about the students that are in true “need” and send something with them/for them.

There is no doubt that more than a few parents are enjoying a night out on the money I (and many others) am spending to purchase the supplies they do not. Where’s my damn steak? I’ll tell you where...It’s in that damn closet and I’m taking it back.

I feel a bit better now. No doubt someone will tell me how heartless I am for not wanting to buy supplies for everyone. And that’s ok. We all make the world go ‘round. Thanks for reading it at least.

I agree with you 100%! I would have no trouble at all if the teachers would simply ask for everyone to buy a few items for those that could not afford it..no problem at all...however this has gotten out of hand!....I always figured the teachers had a little plan to make some extra cash...returning all the extra supplies back to the stores :-)

Originally posted by okiecowboy
I agree with you 100%! I would have no trouble at all if the teachers would simply ask for everyone to buy a few items for those that could not afford it..no problem at all...however this has gotten out of hand!....I always figured the teachers had a little plan to make some extra cash...returning all the extra supplies back to the stores :-)

That's what I said. I have no problem with those who are truly in need. I believe most need parents to put forth a little more effort though.

You may be on to something there...Maybe even a little black market thing going on too. All the teachers gather it up and resell it out of the back of their cars for half price.

Great post...it's well structured, detailed and not full of hatred. This is how all issues like this should be constructed as it would alert more people to the issues unlike the negative attack method. I think a lot of people have no problem helping a fellow in need(like you said) but the problem is it's hard to tell who's legitimate now. The reason it's so hard to help those who truly have a need is because the blood suckers always catch on to the kindness and try to take advantage ..these lazy leeches are the ones causing all of the chaos and finger pointing that's going on.

S & F

here is the list I was hit with this week for an 9th grader...not as bad as some years, with one yeah right item..I think sometimes when added in with all the must have cool clothing items needed homeschool looks better and better each year.....and don't even get me started on the cost of having a kid in sports these days


12 - #2 Pencils
2 - Glue Sticks
1 - White Glue
4 - Pink Erasers
5 - White Eraser
1 - Pkg. Washable Felt Markers
1 - Pair Scissors
1 - Pencil Case
10 - Pocket Folders
2 - Pkg. Lined Paper
1 - Pkg. Plain Paper
10 - Blue Pens
3 - Red Pens
1 - Ruler
1 - Pkg. Pencil Crayons
2 - 1" Binders
8 - Subject Dividers
1 - Scientific Calculator (note: please get a good one, 150.00 price range)
1 - Geometry Set
1 - Pocket Dictionary
1 - Thesaurus
1 - Pencil Sharpener
3 - Highlighter Pens
1 - Agenda Book/Student Planner
1 - Stapler
1 - Staple Remover
1 - Bottle Correction Fluid

reply to post by okiecowboy

I'm not trying to take away from your reply but does it really need to be a double spaced list that takes up half the page? I think the OP summarized the school lists being involved and getting worse and while that's annoying the main beef was with certain parents taking advantage of responsible parents because the supplies they bought their child were taken from them and shared with students that showed up without out any supplies. Correct me if I'm wrong OP.


edit: List is fixed :p nvm

reply to post by Epirus


you are correct and the double spacing is blamed on trying to copy and paste within a phone..And in no way did I mean to derail a good thread from the OP.Please forgive me. I also took from the thread the sillyness of the requests from the teachers ie. the red folders and simply wanted to show another example of that with the 150.00 request.. no harm meant.

Originally posted by Epirus
Great post...it's well structured, detailed and not full of hatred. This is how all issues like this should be constructed as it would alert more people to the issues unlike the negative attack method. I think a lot of people have no problem helping a fellow in need(like you said) but the problem is it's hard to tell who's legitimate now. The reason it's so hard to help those who truly have a need is because the blood suckers always catch on to the kindness and try to take advantage ..these lazy leeches are the ones causing all of the chaos and finger pointing that's going on.

S & F

edit on 27-7-2012 by Epirus because: (no reason given)

Thank you and I couldn't agree more. People used to be ashamed to just "take" like that... it seems that is not the case anymore. I find that the kids who do truly need help are the ones with too much pride to let anyone know and that is an injustice to say the least. Now kids are walking up to get their free lunch texting on their Iphones... I don't get it.

reply to post by okiecowboy


Whoa!! They specified a price range on the calculator!! That is unreal. I know a lot of folks who wouldn't be able to foot just the calculator right now. It's ridiculous. I had to buy one of those last year for 8th grade. I found one a lot cheaper at Wally World that did everything everyone else's did...but cost more. She will be entering the 9th this year the same as yours.

Stuff like pink erasers and white erasers boggle my mind. Why does the color matter? I am always stuck not being able to find "The Color" of whatever it is on the list. As long as it erases...who cares? And scissors. C'mon. I have those on the list this year too. I don't know about your child, but mine hasn't been cutting anything out since the 2nd grade. It's like one of those hunts. Not a treasure hunt, but one of those where you have to find certain items and mark them off your list. I can't recall the name, but it's like that. Like all the teachers got together, had a few drinks, and decided it would be fun to send folks off on a massive search for things that didn't matter. Pink erasers indeed. Lord help us.

Originally posted by okiecowboy
reply to post by Epirus

 

you are correct and the double spacing is blamed on trying to copy and paste within a phone..And in no way did I mean to derail a good thread from the OP.Please forgive me. I also took from the thread the sillyness of the requests from the teachers ie. the red folders and simply wanted to show another example of that with the 150.00 request.. no harm meant.

No, I didn't mean for it to seem like your post was irrelevant because it was relevant and I could tell you understood the post. I was just questioning the formatting of the long list. Makes sense now(mobile device). No worries mate.

I have two grandsons with me now: 1 in the 3rd grade and 1 in the 9th. I simply can't afford to supply the entire class along with supplies and uniforms for the two boys.

I feel if this city has enough money to put on a multimillion dollar 4th of July spectacular, then it should have enough money to fund its school system!

The schools may need help to distribute supplies "fairly", but I need help to feed my family "adequately". Guess who's needs are going to be met first

J

I'm glad that "socialist" schools in other countries have a supply closet.

Here kids in some schools are still waiting for their textbooks midway in the year, and despite court actions and assurances the scandal has only worsened.

Now that's real socialism!



Despite liberal press outrage, court action by Section 27, and promises by the ANC President Jacob Zuma, the schools reopened in July - and still no textbooks!

Still nobody can explain why loads of books were found dumped.

This took well rehearsed socialism, not just any type of socialism.

Now that you brought this up, it puzzles me....when did this transformation take place? was it slowly so we wouldn't notice an extra box of tissue this year, then 2 extra things next year or was it all at once? funny how we have been conditioned to the Socialist closet and never once noticed (myself at least).. I remember way back when I was in school it was to each his own...

pfft-our school list includes ziplock baggies, paper towels, tissue, hand sanitizers, 2 boxes of snacks, cookies or cakes each month. The list is huge here..it's getting ridiculous. They even tell us to NOT write the name of our child on any item..I guess so they can pass out to others..well be damned I wrote her name in big black sharpie letters on each and every item. Sorry I don't share..and I don't play well with others

reply to post by halfoldman


I knew that was going to come up. I was sitting and waiting for it.

All over the country there are things we do and things we have that other countries do not. Do I feel sympathetic... Of course I do. I find it a terrible shame that some countries are in the state they are in and wish everyone on the planet could live well and prosper. But if wishing made it so, we wouldn't be having this discussion. As a mother, I find it especially unfair and tragic when children anywhere are suffering.

This does not mean we can't find fault with things around us simply because another person/people have it so much worse in another location though. By that logic, then nobody on the face of the planet should ever have any negative emotion because there is always someone who has it worse.

My apologies if that is not the message your post was trying to convey. I understand what you are saying, but for nobody to ever have a negative emotion about something is inhuman and to equate having that emotion with not caring about the plights of others is unfair.

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

Nah, I'm just expressing from my area what seemed relevant to the topic.

No "third world" guilt or anything like that intended - those people voted those socialists into power, and they continue to do so.

I'd just also think that it's important for people to hear on what's going on here to from time to time, because their press might not tell them.

But it's not a shortage of funds or anything other people could fix.
It's an example of ANC socialism in action.

reply to post by LadyJae

I feel if this city has enough money to put on a multimillion dollar 4th of July spectacular, then it should have enough money to fund its school system!

Our government's priorities are so screwed up. Obama just authorized another $70 million for aid to Israel and our children don't have books in their schools!

In Title 1 schools, they don't even send lists home to parents because they know they can't afford anything. Instead, the teachers send "begging e-mails" to their friends and families, asking them to donate books, pencils. etc.

Insanity on steroids this country has become!

Originally posted by LadyJae
I have two grandsons with me now: 1 in the 3rd grade and 1 in the 9th. I simply can't afford to supply the entire class along with supplies and uniforms for the two boys.

I feel if this city has enough money to put on a multimillion dollar 4th of July spectacular, then it should have enough money to fund its school system!

The schools may need help to distribute supplies "fairly", but I need help to feed my family "adequately". Guess who's needs are going to be met first

J

Good point about it being a public funded school as I have often thought that I paid taxes and kind of felt like the supplies should be supplied mostly. Smaller things I can understand more. But stuff like $150.00 calculators and mandatory laptops should be paid for with that money and kept at the school for everyone's use.

Though I don't know your situation, I will still have to applaud your for caring for your grandchildren. And the "me first"??? I can completely understand!

Originally posted by okiecowboy
Now that you brought this up, it puzzles me....when did this transformation take place? was it slowly so we wouldn't notice an extra box of tissue this year, then 2 extra things next year or was it all at once? funny how we have been conditioned to the Socialist closet and never once noticed (myself at least).. I remember way back when I was in school it was to each his own...

I first started noticing it when my daughter was in the 4th grade. It steadily got worse from there. It was gradual at least for me. Whether it was on purpose or not, I have no clue. But they did just kind of slide it in there slowly.

When I was in school it was the same. If you didn't have a pencil, you had to beg one off of a classmate and hoped they were generous enough to let you use it...then you gave it back. As I recall if you asked the teacher they got pretty pissed that you weren't prepared and let you sit without so you knew better next time.

Originally posted by Neopan100
pfft-our school list includes ziplock baggies, paper towels, tissue, hand sanitizers, 2 boxes of snacks, cookies or cakes each month. The list is huge here..it's getting ridiculous. They even tell us to NOT write the name of our child on any item..I guess so they can pass out to others..well be damned I wrote her name in big black sharpie letters on each and every item. Sorry I don't share..and I don't play well with others

I do that!! I have written her name on every crayon, pencil, colored pencil, binder, folder, etc. with sharpie as well. I always have. It used to be just so the other kids wouldn't snatch her stuff away and never give it back. Now I will be doing it for pretty much the same reason you do.

We went from 2 last year to 4 this year! I will not be buying stuff I don't even use at home.

Hand Sanitizer? I prefer my kids don't use it.

Wipes? I have a baby at home that needs them more than the school!

5 notebooks for pre school?!? Hell naw, ill get 2.

It continues. But I will stop there.

Experience tells me, buy the basics, and if they need more, the teacher will tell you. I was told that by a teacher actually. Mine are all 3rd and under.

Originally posted by halfoldman
reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe

 

Nah, I'm just expressing from my area what seemed relevant to the topic.

No "third world" guilt or anything like that intended - those people voted those socialists into power, and they continue to do so.

I'd just also think that it's important for people to hear on what's going on here to from time to time, because their press might not tell them.

But it's not a shortage of funds or anything other people could fix.
It's an example of ANC socialism in action.

edit on 27-7-2012 by halfoldman because: (no reason given)

Thanks for clarifying. I wasn't sure and that's why I apologized for it beforehand. I apologize again though.

You are right of course. We don't see a lot of that here. I guess it is too depressing to get good ratings. I am one of those wackos who can kind of see our whole country going the socialist route. I wish they could see more stuff like this, to see how well it works when put in action.

reply to post by Kangaruex4Ewe


Last year I bought the cheap folders. I was OK with my kids using those. Replaced as needed.

They both came home on the first day, with names scratched out, folders. The names were not my kids.