a lot of athletic programs are self-supporting. The money brought in from the gates (with basketball and football it is VERY high) is used to pay refs. Athletic programs and the sale of ads is used to fund other parts of athletics. Sport teams also have fundraisers to bring in money. Not very much public money goes into an athletic budget (or at least I can speak for my school, my county, and my state). Even coaches spend a large part of their money on their teams.

I'd like to see some numbers on that.

Generally, Football and sometimes men's basketball (boys?) are self supporting and everything else is a substantial loss. In most systems, the two main sports don't make up the difference.

While I wholeheartedly support Title IX, it has made the financial situation even worse.

I'm pretty sure that most athletic programs have to be underwritten either by the school system or by student athletic fees.

This is what I'm saying! I had that powder crap all the way thru high school. I can see a parent buying a Purell bottle for personal use... but I'm not understanding the soap thing. Does the child bring the soap for himself alone or does it all get stashed in a community cabinet that people just take from when they need it. (If the latter, that really sucks! Kids waste soap!)

And it only gets worse as they get older. I remember entering the graphic design program as a college freshman and my advisor giving me a VERY specific list of supplies I would probably need. This didn't include all the supplies I would need for pre-req art classes, the trips to Kinkos, paper, photo supplies, ink, and random bits of research needed to make your design projects look spiffy. Not saying that everyone's kids are going into specialized majors like design, BUT even in high school (it was private) I was asked for very specific composition book colors and scientific calculators, and we had to buy our books, PE clothes, and locks.

I just remember in elementary school, everyone had that Sanrio stuff and went out and collected multiple pencils with fancy pencil cases that shot out projectiles that held erasers and paper clips. Ah memories. ;) :D

This morning on Yahoo!......

.....Kelly :)

---------------------------

U.S. National - AP

Teachers Lose Tax Breaks for Supplies
Tue Sep 14, 8:17 PM ET

By ANDREA ALMOND, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES - If Doreen Seelig pocketed all the money she has spent on classroom supplies over 35 years as a teacher — the printer cartridges, the paper, the pencils and the paperback books lent to her Venice High School students — she figures she would have a new car by now.

Now, as the new school year gets under way, the burden on Seelig and other teachers around the country is even heavier.

Because of a budget crunch, California has suspended a tax credit that reimbursed teachers up to $1,500 for classroom supplies. Meanwhile, a $250 federal tax deduction for teachers that helped defray out-of-pocket spending expired this year.

Seelig said she will still buy hundreds of dollars worth of basic materials that districts do not provide. And she will still drive her 1991 Acura.

"What are we going to do, tell the kids, `Sorry, there's no paper today,' or tell them they can't print because there's no ink?" Seelig asked. "I know I couldn't do it."

Teachers around the country often reach into their own pockets to buy school supplies for themselves or their students, either because the school system does not provide the money, or because they feel sorry for youngsters from poor homes who come to school without the things they need.

Parent-teacher organizations and private groups often donate supplies, but educators say poor districts still come up short.

For young teachers at the lowest end of the pay scale, the loss of the tax credits is particularly hard.

"The end of the tax benefits is effectively a tax increase for teachers — people who spend thousands of their own dollars each day for their classrooms and who don't deserve a tax increase," said Barbara Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association.

Nationwide, teachers spent an average of $458 on school supplies, according to the National School Supply and Equipment Association, a Maryland-based trade group.

The National Education Association and some lawmakers are working to reinstate the federal teacher deduction, which was introduced in 2002 but expired at the end of 2003. Teachers are still entitled to write off business expenses, like other taxpayers, but the amount they spend often does not meet the threshold for taking a deduction.

By ditching its tax break, California joined most of the rest of the nation. National teacher organizations do not keep track, but it appears few states now offer teachers any relief at all.

Arkansas, for example, requires that school districts reimburse teachers for up to $500 of out-of-pocket expenses. Texas officials have allocated $3 million to compensate public school teachers. Between that and local government funding, Texas teachers might reach $400 worth of reimbursements this school year.

Even when tax breaks are proposed, as in Arizona last year, the teachers' lobby may be opposed, saying the solution is more state money for education.

Karl Kaku, an English teacher at Fresno High School for 10 years, said he spent $200 on supplies before this year's classes had even started.

"Stuff to write with, stuff to write on, pens, paper, overhead transparencies, overhead markers, ink cartridges," said Kaku, who makes $56,000 a year. "Some years, there's some money. Others, there's nothing. This year there's nothing."

In the Canoga Park section of Los Angeles, teacher and expectant mother Jennifer Flores said she has already rationed her spending. "We'll do without some of the things I would usually buy," she said. "And the worst thing about it all is that it's the kids who end up suffering the most."

The California credit was first offered in 2000 as a way to keep teachers from quitting. Teachers with four to 11 years in the profession received $250 to $500. Those more experienced could receive up to $1,500.

The credit was suspended in 2002 as state legislators battled a budget gap. It was resurrected for the 2003-04 tax year, at a cost of $180 million to the state. Last month, legislators suspended the relief until 2007. Parent and teacher groups, as well as private companies, are scrambling to cushion the blow.

The Los Angeles teachers union recently teamed up with a Spanish-language radio station in asking donors for such things as glue sticks, pencils, crayons, manila folders, even socks and underwear for poorer districts.

One Web site, iLoveSchools.com, matches teachers around the country with donors. The nonprofit organization, launched in July, said it has received about $90,000 in donations.

___

Associated Press Writer Juliana Barbassa in Fresno contributed to this report.

That's just wrong. I hope congress does in fact renew the $250 tax break and in fact, increases it.

I was complaining about this stuff to my fiance this year as I helped him with his list for his 4th grade daughter. I'm glad to see it's not only the snotty area we live in. I have to say, the list wasn't THAT bad. And aside from the 2 boxes of tissue to be used by the class, everything seems to be for personal use. But if I find out her pencils or erasable pens were tossed into a bucket for community use - especially when she is probably the "pooriest" kid in school, I'll really be ticked. HOWEVER, she lives in one of the toniest towns in all of New York state. They pride themsleves on their phenomenal school system and the taxes they pay are huge. A school like that can afford some darn tissues!!! BUT...

What REALLY pissed me off was a few years ago. Soon after Sept. 11 my fiance lost his job as his company was sold. A year later, as his daughter started the new year, he was still not working, unemployment had run out and his savings was trickling down. He'd spent plenty on her supply list and new clothes etc. A few weeks into the year she was required to bring and empty tennis ball can to school for some art project. We don't play tennis. He had to go out and buy a can for an art project! OK, so it wasn't that expensive - but was it really necessary? Then in October they had to bring in a pumpkin the size of a globe. Pumpkins ain't cheap!

I understand that kids need school supplies. I guess I took it for granted that parents were smart enough to get them without a list (my mom never had a problem with it), but from our teachers on GC, I see this is unfortunately not the case. :( But I think asking for specific brands or things not "school related" (hello, pumpkins?!) is pushing it for a lot of parents.

Looks like I'll be the bitch of the PTA when I have kids!!!! :cool:

Re: Kids' School Supplies
 

Wow...
I don't know how old you guys are, but when I was in elementary school in the early 70s we had a similar supply list. These were our "personal" supplies however, that we kept at our desk. We also had to buy an artbag that we tied at our desk to keep most of our supplies in. The kids with artsy mothers had the cute bags made with nice fabrics with spaces for your ruler, crayons (the big 64 box, of course), glue, etc. The rest of us bought the cheap ones made of heavy denim from the school and all of our stuff was piled up in the bottom. Yes, Im still a little bitter.

I agree that the different gift a week is excessive. I can't imagine what they do with all of the gifts. My mother was an elementary school teacher and she got the typical gifts at Christmas. She kept 99% of it (and regifted the other 1%!) but most of it was JUNK. Cheep jewelry, perfume, potholders, candles, etc.

What I find interesting about your comments though is that you say the time you spend overseeing homework annd building good character trains should show appreciation for the teacher. Seems to me that while the teachers benefit from that, it is for your children, not the teachers! What if your employer said the time I spend reviewing your work and making sure we have heat and air conditioning should show you that I appreciate the work you do here! LOL

How does the school districts justify that duplicate supplies are used for a community chest? I think it's great to remember that not all the kids have parents who can afford supplies. But are all of the supplies are used up in an entire school year? I have no clue if that's the case either way.

The one thing that was always on the school supply list from k-6. was a box of kleenex and there were always anywhere from 2-4 boxes left over on the last day to school. Is the school district auctioning off the leftovers on ebay?

As for specific supplies wouldn't it made sense for the school, PTA, or PTO to buy the items in bulk, sell it cheaper than the stores and donate the leftovers back to the school? I think that someone posted that their school something similar.

The five day tribute to teachers in the form of forced gifts is a bit excessive. Pool together the money that would have gone to the world's best teacher mugs and have it go toward a gift card to the mall? Perhaps at the end of the year a parent/ teacher recoginition night, whatever the opposite of fall Open house is, selected students read essays or mini thank you notes so that appreciation given to all for a job well done. Also teachers acknowledging parental involvement that went above and beyond the call of duty in his/her classroom. It takes a village to raise a child.

It's ridiculous that teachers aren't allowed more tax deductions or whatever with what they spend toward the classroom.

I hope so too....every little bit helps. I honestly was not aware that it ran out this year.

Quote from Eclispse.."What I find interesting about your comments though is that you say the time you spend overseeing homework annd building good character trains should show appreciation for the teacher. Seems to me that while the teachers benefit from that, it is for your children, not the teachers! What if your employer said the time I spend reviewing your work and making sure we have heat and air conditioning should show you that I appreciate the work you do here! LOL [/B][/QUOTE]

Yes, it does benefit my children, and as a parent I feel the responsibility to do that. I know a number of parents who don't do anything with their children regarding school or behavior. My children can be rather messy writers so I encourage them to spend time writing in journals to improve handwriting and writing skills. We usually have a quiet half hour to an hour to encourage reading, with helps again with reading skills and comprehension. I listen to my children read almost daily, and this allows me to educate them about words they may not understand and make sure they have a good understanding of what is happening in the story. We play games, work puzzles and use the computer to reinforce math skills. When a teacher tells me that my child has had difficulty staying on task that week, then I discuss that with my child. If there is a problem going on with peers, I help them come up with ways to work it out. If a teacher makes a note on the daily sheet that needs to be addressed with my child, I address it. So, yes, this is all part of being a responsible parent. At the same time, it is something that shows respect and appreciation for the job that teachers do, and reinforcing at home what they are trying to teach them in the classroom, and taking care of any problems immediately. I don't care how perfect your child is, there are going to be issues and problems that arise in the classroom that must be dealt with at home. I believe in what teachers do, and feel that a parent-teacher relationship should be collaborative and both should be working in the best interest of each child to make the most of that child's individual abilities. Some parents are perfectly fine to let the teachers do the parenting at school. Some parents are perfectly fine to let the teachers do all the parenting, all the education and all the characteristic traits. I am not one of those parents. I guess I could just turn on the tv and let it entertain and educate them for the rest of the time they are out of school.

And yeah, if my employer provides heating and air for me, I'll appreciate that too! ;)

@@##! We just got the 2006 school supply lists this week and they're even longer because all kinds of cleaning and non-educational supplies have been added--baby wipes, Clorox desk wipes, hand sanitizer, giant Ziplocs, the list goes on. Plus each teacher wants multiples of those--no way. I am not sending 4 boxes of wipes just because 3 other kids might not bring any. We're both teachers and we're not stupid.

We have gotten some good buys this week, like notebook paper for 15 cents at Staples and Office Depot and folders for a penny somewhere. Now all I have to do is watch the backpacks like a hawk so our high school boys won't do something along the lines of last year--switching their 6-year-old brother's macho pencils for Disney Princess ones.:rolleyes:

When I was in elementary school in the 1980s, I was supplied one pencil, one eraser, one box of crayons (a ball point pen replaced crayons in Grade 4), and enough notebooks for all the subjects for the year. The only thing we had to get ourselves was a three-ring binder for French class starting in Grade 3. Since the crayons only had 8 colours, most of the kids brought their own.

Doesn't Staples have a program for teachers?

That's something I can see my oldest doing :D

Target had some good deals this week, as did Fred Meyer. And seeing the lists you all have I am very grateful for my school.

1 back pack
12 Yellow Pencils,
4 24 packs of Crayola crayons
2 folders (one yellow one blue)
3 Erasers
4 Gluse sticks
1 box of zip lock baggies
30 stickers.

Most of it we already had on hand. Now this is for Kindergarten but it's all day and most of the other grades lists are comparable.
I won't even begin to tell you what the private school we were considerings list was like!!!!! CRAZY

Here's my 5th graders basic list:

2 packs of wide-lined NOTEBOOK PAPER
6 (3-prong) Pocket Folders (Color Assort.)
2 Composition Books
2 packs (10 or more) #2 Pencils
(please, no MECHANICAL pencils) *this is killing my 5th grader, he loves his mechanical pencils!!!*
1 pack (Blue or Black) Pens
(please, no GEL pens)
2 Glue Sticks
1 Scissors
2 boxes of Tissues
4 Dry Erase Markers (Broad Tip)
(please, BASIC colors and Black)
1 large Pencil Eraser
3 Book Covers
2 Highlighters
1 pack of Colored Pencils (12 or more)
1 box (Gallon-size) Zip Bags-GIRLS
1 box of (Sandwich-size) Zip Bags-BOYS
5th Grade UNIFIED ARTS Classes
1 box of Tissues BOYS
1 box of Zip-Seal Bags GIRLS
* THIS IS ONLY A BASIC LIST *
Each TEAM may provide a more detailed
list when school begins…

Translate that into each team WILL provide a more detailed list!

Now, we learned last year that there's really no such thing as a supply list for high school. Some teachers may specify a certain size notebook or binder, but for the most part they decide how to manage their supply needs for classes and personal use. Of course, about a week into school our oldest realized that the huge zip binder was a pain to haul around school all day and went with a poly accordian type thing.