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I'm not ripping on the teachers, but the system as a whole. I AM paying a HUGE amount in taxes to support the schools and we did pass our last bond issue. In fact, since my ex-husband and I both own homes in this district, we're paying twice as much as everyone else!
I ended up doing a search on school supplies list on Google and came up with some wild stuff, far worse than my kids' lists! I have seen lists though that require ELMER's glue specifically or Ziplock bags specifically. Fiskars scissors! I use Fiskars scissors for my sewing scissors, why would a kid need them in school for their collages? What's wrong with generics? I don't feel so bad after seeing some other lists. Why do folders have to be a specific color? We went to five stores before we found a purple folder. My daughter is bright enough to figure out which folder is her math folder without color coding it. My son isn't allowed to use the sturdy, heavy duty folder I bought as his homework folder because it isn't yellow. The kid goes through about 8 homework folders a year because he's a rough and tumble boy. Some of it just seems overly controlling. If we have to have certain colors, then why not have the school store sell those colors?
I'm feeling irritable with the school in general because we have a new principal who just seems to be a control freak. On day one, we received a whole list of new rules, most of which don't seem to be useful or helpful. She's just stating "I am in control".
I still think the school should provide dictionaries and soap.
I would probably feel a little less angry if they let us know in advance instead of sending a list home on the first day of school that says "Supplies must be brought in by September 8th" when school started on the 7th. Give me the list in June so I can budget for it and look for things on sale! I have no problem with donations. In fact, I donated a bunch of Leap Frog stuff when they wanted those for the lower el. When they have the Scholastic Book Fair, the teachers make wish lists and you can buy a book for the classroom if you want.. I always do that too. I send in food for the parties and I go on as many field trips as I can afford to.
It just seems like you get bombarded the minute you walk in the door. Here's the school supply list, have everything by tomorrow. Oh, and by the way, picture day is September 21st and you have to pay that day, minimum package is $30. And the school fund raiser starts next week. And the field trip next week is $14, please have the money by Friday. And, the fifth grade trip this year is only $500.00. First payment is due Oct. 1st. I don't think kids really need to go on $500 field trips in 5th grade. I went to Mexico for that in 12th grade after fundraising for 3 years to do it!
I need to get involved in the school board I think.. I need to know where these tax dollars are going.
Dee
PS. I'm in Michigan, where our teachers are paid higher than most states, thanks to the unions. I'm all for paying teachers well.
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