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i've never heard of donating an extra set of supplies for needy students. i think that is RIDICULOUS if it is not voluntary. just be sure though that that is exactly what it is. i ask my students to bring in 4 glue sticks (not ELmers glue--too messy) not so i can donate 2, but so that when we use them up or someone leaves the cap off and it dries up we have another one handy and don't have to ask the mom's for a new one.
i really wish i could explain the colored folder thing so you all could understand. it really is a GREAT system and helps things run smoothly. and (most) teachers definitely understand if you can't find purple and will give you time to find it.
also, my school has recently implemented a new phonics and guided reading programs. guess what that means---2 more notebooks and 2 more folders to buy for parents. bringing the total up to like 5 notebooks and 4 folders.--not unreasonable for an elementary classroom.
my school sends home it's supply list in June with the report cards and kindergarten lists get mailed home. that gives over 2 months to get the supplies. it states on top that the teacher may ask for other items for her class, since it is a general grade list, but we definitely give time to get those supplies.
if people want the school to supply paper, crayons, etc expect your tax dollars to go up. and it won't go up with the actual cost of buying those items on your own. it will probably increase greatly due to supplies being different throughout the grades. i don't see how that can be worth it.
about fiskars--they are the BEST. many parents don't understand the difference and go to the dollar store to buy the dollar scissors. they break. they have a dull edge. basically they stink. just spend the $3 and get over it. and if your child is losing 3 per year, it's time to talk about personal responsibility and personal property. it is not the teacher's job to keep track of the student's supplies. even in kindergarten. last year when i taught K, my kids knew that anything left on the floor would be swept up by the custodian and that i would not pick it up for them. it is not the custodian's job to pick through the garbage he sweeps up. if little johhny's brand new fiskars are on the floor, they will be in the garbage. it's called responsibility.
i use baggies for EVERYTHING--treats, centers, little pieces of things, etc. they are used up by the end of the year.
remember that teachers don't send home school picture brochures and fund raisers, the PTA does. bring up gripes with them.
clipboards--the kids work in the hall and in groups and it helps keep the work neat and organized. plus they love using them!
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the biggest thing to keep in mind. in 99.99% of the cases, the requests of the teacher are for the BENEFIT OF YOUR CHILD.
the teacher does not arbitrarily choose what to put on a supply list. she has probably been teaching for YEARS and knows exactly what is best and what is really needed. i don't think $40 for a year of good education is unreasonable at all.
and yes, many times the kids know for days or weeks that they need something and then put the blame on the teacher when they forget to ask mom to get it. stop thinking your kids are always right (especially in middle and high school). don't march down to the principal's office because it may get the teacher in trouble for something she didn't do. and don't write a heated letter to the teacher or be nasty to her, ask her nicely to explain the situation and i would say 4 out of 5 times it was a simple mix up.
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