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I'm having lots of mixed, heated feelings on this. So I hope that I make sense. Here's my background and where I'm coming from. I am a teacher. This is my 7th year teaching. I teach in a low socioeconomic school. Every year I've been here,we have either been a targeted or full on Title 1 school.
I'm amazed at some of your comments and likewise by some of the crap on the school lists. First of all, to save $$, don't buy the pictures from the school. They are a ripoff. Go to Target or somewhere else that does cheap, decent pictures. If you don't like the policies of PTA, get on the board and make a difference. Or, even more fun and tons of crap, run for your school district's board! However, I don't think I'd wish that nightmare on my worst enemy!!
I think that some of the junk on the school lists are so stupid. Bad teachers! We give a list of supplies out in May before we go on summer vacation. I can't believe some schools are so inconsiderate that they give you one day to get all the stuff!! We may have Fiskars as a recomendation on the list, but we are just happy to have scissors brought in! I'm happy to get a child with a complete list, and we do not provide extras for the other kids. In my class, the children learn fast that my class will be like there real world. If you bring in new crayons, you will use new crayons. If you don't bring in crayons, you can borrow some out of the big left over bucket in the room. If you don't bring in scissors, you may borrow a pair of mine, only for the project, and it has my name on them. I have even provided school clothes for children in my class b/c they only have one shirt at home and they are embarassed by wearing the same shirt eveyday.
Let me just talk for a minute about some of the stuff on the lists.
Plastic baggies: I do use these all the time. The are used to keep our flash cards, our math fact cards, to keep our school supplies (because we don't have those on our list), to send home lost teeth, and to keep lunch $ in.
Soap/Purell: My school provides soap in the restrooms, but it is crap. I can only think that teachers use it to help keep the kiddos hands truly clean so they won't get even more illnesses and bring them home to their parents.
Treats for treasure chest: That is the teacher's responsibility. I wouldn't even begin to ask my parents to supply treats for the children! Amazing!
Candy for rewards: What??? That's crazy! We aren't supposed to give any food to the children.
Oh, as far as the tax deduction. No, not really. I spend over $500 a year in stuff for my class or the children. I am only allowed to use $250 of that for taxes. And it is taken off of the top, not a credit. Merely a drop in the bucket.
And I'll end this tirade with Teacher Appreciation Week. In seven years of teaching, I have had one parent actually recognize this. Our PTO (not PTA b/c that has national dues associated with it and they can't afford it) provides a small gift for us and a meal during that week. We are so grateful for that.
In closing, some teachers need to see what it is like in other parts for the country and be happy with the minimum. BAd teachers! Please know that not all teachers are like that. Please don't pigeon hole all of us. And you have a choice. I'm not a parent b/c I don't want to have to put up with all the shit of raising my own, that is my choice. I have made a choice not to have children. I wish you all the best of luck who have chosen to raise children, as you already have learned, it is not easy!
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