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!!!!
