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Originally Posted by winnieb
I understand that teachers aren't paid well, which is wrong! But I also know teachers get to use what they spend in their classrooms as a tax deduction. The money I spend and donate is not a deduction for me. I also know I spend LOTS on tax money for my child's education.
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I too am a teacher and spend $1000 EASILY for my classroom. Then again, I don't teach in a well-to-do district. Actually, I was photocopying pages from a textbook for one of my classes last year, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH BOOKS.
Wendi - I don't know how much you can claim on your taxes for supplies, but I know that legally, I can only claim $250 for "Out of Pocket" School Supplies.
I wish more parents would help our and donate things - the truth is, unless you live in those "good" districts they DON'T. The truth is, most of my kids, and their parents are more concerned with when the next meal is coming, are they going to have enough money to pay the water bill, etc.
By no means am I whining or complaining, I LOVE MY SCHOOL and I love my Students.
I did offer my student 5 bonus points for bringing in tissues. My school doesn't supply tissues OR white-lined paper. I asked ALL 200 of my students to bring in a box of tissues and 2 packages of loose-leaf paper at the beginning of the year.
And still, but mid way through the semester, I was purchasing my own.
On a side rant:
People are constantly dumping on teachers "Oh... must be SO nice to have the summer off!" Yes, and during the summers, most of us have another job. Or, there are a LOT of us who have 2nd jobs DURING the school year.
My mom CONSTANTLY gets me with the comment "Teachers don't need to be paid more, really, they only work part time."
PART-TIME? I am at school at 6:15 in the morning, classes end at 2pm, I coach - practice starts at 3 and ends at 8. THEN, I go home, take care of my husband and then grade or get ready for the next day.
Anyway - my point - I know it is a pain for you, as parents to spend extra money for things your child may not need, but I know for sure that teachers appreciate every bit of help you can offer. If you don't like the community chest idea, or whatever, maybe contact the teacher and see if there is something else you can do instead? I don't know. But I do know that I would LOVE it if I could have markers, or scissors (any brand, really!) donated to my class.