As I stand here making supper I get to thinking why do we as parents have to supply the whole class with supplies? I have 3 kids 2 of which are both in middle school and a toddler. I printed the supply lists for both kids off the school website, 2 pages for each kid. This is ridiculous. Multiple boxes of tissue, multiple packages of pens, pencils, paper, glue, markers, crayons, etc. My husband says just send them with 1 of everything and if they need anything else send it in as needed. I 100% agree with that.
Do these school officials not realize that a lot of kids come from broken homes or have only 1 parent working due to maybe health issues or maternity leave etc. Also on top of all that us parents are required to buy certain books that they will read throughout the year. What does the school actually supply? Plus there are school pictures on the second or third day of school, fundraisers, book sales, field trips and such. Do they think everyone is made of money or has a money tree growing in the yard?
I have brought all this up to teachers in the past and they all say the same thing "I don't know what to tell you". Well I know what I will tell them, I will not send all the supplies I bought for my 2 kids to supply they whole class for the year. Our oldest alone needs a binder for every class (7 altogether) and trying to fit all that into 1 backpack is not happening. I am actually scared to see our daughter's supply list for High School next year. When I was a kid all we needed was 1 binder, maybe 2 packs of paper a pack of pens and a pack of pencils. Also on top of all this our oldest has the chance to go to Washington DC this March and we have to pay the initial $150 but on the plus side if she raises the whole $480-$500 for the trip we get the money back, ugh WHY.
~Namaste Stargazer~