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Parent Gets Daughter Personalized Stationery For School, Receives A Passive-Aggressive Note From The Teacher
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Parent Gets Daughter Personalized Stationery For School, Receives A Passive-Aggressive Note From The Teacher

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Just like that, summer has almost ended and families are once again getting ready to send their kids to school. It’s time to start going back to bed early and getting supplies for class. But these things are often easier said than done. Especially the latter.

Last Monday, Reddit user BlueCarrot002 turned to the platform’s ‘Am I the [Jerk]?‘ community to explain that their daughter, Mia, recently started at a new school. When the parent received the list of everything their little girl needed, they decided to purchase a few extra items.

Having put so much effort into preparing Mia’s backpack, the parent didn’t want its contents to be redistributed to other children, so they personalized the items. That, however, turned out to be a problem, and now Mia’s teacher is requesting a serious conversation.

Not sure how to approach it, the parent asked the internet for help.

This parent put extra effort (and money) into their daughter’s back-to-school shopping

Image credits: CDC (not the actual photo)

And they think it’s not okay for the school to redistribute the items to the rest of the class

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Image credits: Van Tay Media (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: CDC (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: Bluecarrot002

The fun of back-to-school shopping can also come with an expensive price tag. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $864 on school items, or about $15 more than last year.

The organization’s data reveals that back-to-school spending has increased dramatically since the onset of the pandemic, as families adjusted to changes from virtual and hybrid learning. Compared to 2019, back-to-school shoppers are expected to spend $168 more on average, and total spending reached $11 billion.

Because of this year’s inflationary pressure, traditional sales events may play an even larger role for back-to-school and college shoppers. Most (81%) plan to use retailer deals to shop specifically for school and college items. Approximately three out of five (62%) said they will shop Prime Day deals on Amazon, 31 percent will shop online deals at other retailers and 20 percent will shop in-store deals at other retailers

Speaking to CBS, Jeffery Bailey, the Divisional Social Services Director for the Salvation Army said he can tell the difference in need, compared to the last two years.

“Absolutely, the need is greater— and let me explain why. The last two years, the kids have been doing some form of school at home – hybrid, some kids have gone part-time. But now this is the first year all schools are expected to have all their children back. There’s a much greater demand out there. The resources are a lot harder,” Bailey noted.

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So you can certainly understand why parents would like their kids to maintain the items they spend their money on. However, to play the devil’s advocate, I want you to take a look at the situation from Mia’s teacher’s point of view.

A recent survey by the National Center for Education Statistics discovered that 94 percent of teachers spend their own money to stock their classrooms with the necessary supplies and resources. On average, a teacher will provide about $479, although 7 percent spent more than $1,000.

Maybe the system should take care of those students in need, not their teachers and classmates’ parents?

People think that the parent had every right to personalize their daughter’s things

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shannonsmith_2 avatar
Inclusion2020
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a teacher. This lady is absurd. The school has a supply room with pencils, notebooks etc. That parent bought those materials with her money for her daughter. And now the teacher is requesting a conference? My advice to this mom would be to have a third party present at the meeting and to escalate to the principal. This teacher sounds weird, she might treat the daughter poorly moving forward. Documentation and accountability needs to be established. Sad to say. But it happens.

blacke4dawn avatar
BlackestDawn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My understanding is that not all schools in the USA have (give?) that kind of budget for supplies.

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demi_zwaan avatar
Demi Zwaan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find the idea of a mandatory list already insane, but to redistribute stuff to other kids? No. Back in school I was the one with the cheapest stuff, but I still wouldn't have wanted someone else's stuff. This was mine. I picked it with my mom and I liked how it looked. It meant something to me.

lauren-dierolf avatar
Curious
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not normal. I'm a teacher, and supplies bought go to that child. We label everything with names the first day of school. I am either provided extras by the school, or more typically, I buy them myself. The extras go to the students who don't bring any supplies.

wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. We were encouraged to label stationary so that if it was lost it could easily be returned to the right kiddo too.

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bloodywilliamsgirlfriend avatar
Nunya Bus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See this is the problem with people not understanding the difference between equality and equity. Equality is everyone gets the EXACT same things regardless of size, color, comfort, price etc. And that doesn't always work to everyone's advantage. Equity is when everyone gets what they need to be on equal footing to be successful. If everyone has crayons, pencils, paper, binders, notebooks, then Susie Q having personalized ones doesn't give her an advantage over anyone else if they all have those things albeit not personalized. The focus should be on everyone having what they need to succeed. If extra supplies are bought then that means everyone gets pencils in case some kids came without them. That puts people on more level footing. And the left handed supplies is the very definition of equity. Equality is everyone has scissors but it doesn't do much good if they're hard to use for some. So some get special scissors which puts them on par with regular scissor users.

nikkisevven avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you're expected to provide for kids who aren't yours? This is literally what taxes are for. Increase the school budget. I imagine you can find quite a lot of extra money if you stop overpaying your administrative staff.

patricklinnen avatar
Patrick Linnen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people complain that they should not need to pay taxes going to schools because they don't have children (either never had or the kids are in another district), or that their kids are being schooled at home or private/charter schools, or that their taxes should go to vouchers and all the problem kids go to other schools. To bad, so sad if your school (usu. inner-district or other lower income areas) is short changed by this. You should have thought ahead and been born with more money.

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zora24_1 avatar
Trillian
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, is that normal? I mean, my friend's son is left-handed so she buys special crayons and scissors and stuff. I buy the ergonomic kind of pencils (my daughter ist first grade and just learning to write). No way would I want this taken away, I mean, I paid for it? But then, we are asked to label every little thing.

jimmysmith_2 avatar
Jimmy Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know there's left handed scissors because my daughter is left handed didn't know there was crayons and pencils to maybe because I'm from a small town I know she's 18 now and out of school but she might like to know where to get stuff like that

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kiloalphatango avatar
Miss Kat O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand... I've not been at school for a long time... but I'm pretty sure I always had a pencil case with my own things in... if there was something I didn't have cuz I'd lost it broke it or chewed it the teacher would lend it me and I would return it at the end of class

angelwingsyt avatar
AngelWingsYT
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You did. Ik i did. Heck i had that for YEARS after school (they are hella useful!) Think they (school) like us having our own cause 1. The back up supplies lasted longer and 2. Great way n fun way to teach writing your name

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tahadata avatar
Lara Verne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the first time I heard about this. How does it work? Teacher take supplies from kids and redistribute them as they see fit? Or they just want to make kids share all supplies? Is that some new trend I missed?

angelwingsyt avatar
AngelWingsYT
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dont think so sounds like bad teaching. N sounds like its let the kids pick one by one which items they want. Or hands them out randomly to the kids.

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misterghostfoot avatar
Glass Ghost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm confused..? Back when I was in school. Everybody personally had to have their own stuff. Nothing was distributed or switched up. Is this a newer thing? It just sounds annoying and problematic. Plus the school should supply things if they plan to distribute personally bought items.

mr_jlsama avatar
Mr. J (LSama)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public school funding had steadily gotten worse since I went to school; I graduated in '99. Now that everyone needs a laptop and most schools have to buy newest addition books, there's little left for the necessities students need, then you have poor and/or negligent parents who can't buy those necessities. Teachers, overworked and underpaid, usually have to dig into their own pockets for this stuff. So I guess either the school or the teachers themselves asked parents to chip in extra.

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bobbygoodson avatar
Bobby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no problem with asking parents to contribute to a communal supply source. I have issue that my kids school had "twistable colored pencils - Crayola brand only" like those are crazy expensive for a kindergarten class. $6 for a small pack? Sorry teach you're getting rose art crayons. 5 and 6 year old will destroy those pencils in the first week

ericyoder avatar
Eric Yoder
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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cynthiac_cutright avatar
The Mom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just don't understand. When I (55) was in school my parents always supplied everything that I needed. Notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, etc. Never did I have a teacher try to redistribute my belongings. I think this is my generation making up all of these absurd rules and it makes no sense to me. I do understand some kids may have parents that can't afford or won't buy supplies who will need assistance which should be given. For the short time my kids were in public school I purchased their supplies plus a few extra for the classroom.

omboyganesh avatar
OmBoyGanesh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m your age and agree with you. The problem is that now 50% or more of classes have parents who can’t afford or simply don’t supply their children and there’s a greater disparity in how schools can allocate their budget. My kid goes to a STEM K-12 in what could only be called an “affluent” neighborhood, but most of the kids are bussed in. One, because it’s a STEM magnate. Two, because they’re trying to create diversity. Three, because the vast majority of kids on this schools’ area go to private or charter schools. While the 20% of neighborhood kids’ parents can easily afford supplies, the remaining 80% have parents who either can’t afford them or simply won’t afford them. We just sent him with five sets of extra supplies. If the other parents on our neighborhood did the same, that hopefully covers all the kids in his class. That the school rents out the facilities & the field/playground on weekends & when schools out in order to raise money speaks volumes on the education budget.

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paulina_krasinska avatar
Paulina
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, European here - I don't understand ANY of this 😶 You're telling me that in US you're expected to put all of the things your kid might use during the year into some sort of common pile? Why??? And how would that work with things like binders? Aren't kids allowed to have their own possessions for some reason? If my kid likes ponies and I buy them a pen with ponies on them, teacher would take it away??! So many questions

adamarb89 avatar
Adam Arb89
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're in the middle of a post modern communist "revolution". The weirdos want to soften your children to the abhorrent ways of thinking. So they start with books like Rainbow Fish and redistributing school supplies.

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elin_noller avatar
Elin Noller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy s**t...united states of america, one of the riches countries in the entire world, don't give schools enough money to pay for "school supplies"? It is literally in the f*****g name. Here in sweden we would buy our own backpacks, pencil cases and some personal stuff, but everything else was supplied by the school.

phantasteek avatar
erine avatar
Erin E
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hated this too. When we were able to, and during the school supply sales, I would buy extra notebook paper, glue sticks, crayons, map colors, and other items that would fit in my budget. At first I put baskets together and gave it all at the beginning of the year. However, my personal experience led me to divvy it up throughout the year. When they sent the first note home I would send some extra, same the next semester. Not all teachers took advantage. But it only takes one. (Extra - I would ask how many kids were in the class as of that time and buy enough **when I could**)

shannonodland avatar
Dippin Dot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my son was in primary school they took all the supplies and dumped them into communal bins. I hated it because my son takes care of his supplies whereas some kids would break pencils and crayons and just go and grab another to ruin. It teaches absolutely zero responsibility for keeping things nice and perpetuates the thought that everything is replaceable and free. I’m fine with supplying extra or donating money so the teacher can buy for those who can’t afford it, but each child should have their own so it teaches responsibility.

bilieghberrie avatar
Biliegh Berrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Donation or the parents get together for bake sales or what not. That would have been great. We were blind sided and it just angered me. We were not told, asked, nothing.

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barbietart01 avatar
Barbara Cochrane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! Glad I finished school back in the dinosaur days. Our school supplied what supplies we needed except our pencils, pens, rulers, notebooks & notebook paper. They gave us our books for the year and if we needed construction paper or other art supplies it came from the school. If there were kids who didn't have an item, the school supplied them. Our school wasn't in a wealthy area but most families managed to give their children the basics for school. We were not expected to give our supplies to the school or to other kids. Maybe because it was a Catholic school in the inner city and our tuition covered the crayons, etc.

heatherumpherville avatar
Heather Umpherville
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like communistic behaviour to me. You bought the stuff it's your daughter's to keep. Rich n poor has been around since time began. Deal with it. Ps. I was in the poor category growing up. Made me work harder to get what I want and I so appreciate it

miz_jen_lee avatar
Jennifer Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. We didn't have much money, but my mom always let us pick out the binder that we wanted, even if it was one of the special pricier ones. It would have been devastating to have it taken away and given to another kid.

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bilieghberrie avatar
Biliegh Berrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my son started school we bought the "list" and was told to add it to the (pile) on the tables. That was the last time we bought supplies from the list. Teachers expect you to buy for the entire year for the class. When did that become normal? When did schools stop supplying cleaning supplies and why do the parents have to make up for it? I grew up sent to school with no supplies so I can understand part of this. But we absolutely refused to buy supplies after that. I told my ex eff that don't ever do that again. He bought supplies and kept them in the closet.

phil84vaive avatar
Phil Vaive
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buying classroom supplies has become pretty normal as education budgets get cut time and time again. Teachers are also frequently purchasing supplies for their classes out of pocket. The idea of purchasing extra supplies for redistribution was meant to help lower income families who are no longer being given what they need in the schools, but cannot afford to buy them for themselves either. However, just taking ALL the supplies a kid brings and mixing it and "redistributing" it is completely weird. That would be like if a food bank came to everyone's houses and raided their pantries.

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abigailrose_1 avatar
Wysteria_Rose
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. I have never heard of this kind of thing...I'd be pissed if my kid's school supplies were passed to some other child. I understand the buying extra but why can't the kids get to have their own picked out supplies? That's what I loved about back to school shopping, picking out certain designed things for different subjects.

hoshireed avatar
Hoshi Reed
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I get why kids having their own stuff can be a problem. It is not about qty, it is about quality. A difference in quality creates disparity. If the kids relying on the communal pile are using dollar items and others are allowed to use their crayola/Faber-Castell/Caren d'Ache this affects self esteem. Causes bullying and can even lead to suicide. But then again, I went to school where, though shoes were required, no student was allowed to go in Nike shoes as they could get killed. Disparity in the supplies is a concern, not the quantity of the supplies themselves

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shayda avatar
Shayda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I slapped my kids name of EVERYTHING. It'd didn't occur to me not to do that since my mom did it for me and my siblings. Her teacher never said anything about it

nikkisonney avatar
Nikki Sonney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't matter. I do the same with my kids. They still take them. At the end of the year, we ended up with a bag full of random broken c**p with other people's names on it. Year after year. It doesn't mean anything anymore.

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katrijn-demaere avatar
Kat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me this is very weird .... My kids don't have to bring anything. School provides the basics and all parents volunteer to pool some money (anonymously) that can be used by teachers to buy the extra stuff they want to use in class...

alisonmavr avatar
Wondering Alice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't believe it is normal practice to redistribute items. Standard practice is surely to have a box of generic supplies for kids who have either forgotten or don't have they type of parents who get them things. Best practice is for school to supply a list but include option to purchase a made up pack from school. This has the advantage for the parent as it is easy to be sure nothing has been missed and is usually a little cheaper because of bulk buy and school discounts. It's often not much cheaper, as everyone knows some parents simply can't or won't get anything and those kids can be given a supply pack too. Kids who love stationery often prefer to get there own.

saradagrape avatar
Lady of the Mountains
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have experience with this. Growing up, we got lists with our stuff and this stuff was for us, there wasnt any of this supply sharing pots going on. But along with the rest of the stuff, we had to get a bunch of extra gluesticks, crayons, etc, and tissues, sanitizer, wipes and things. We took like one box of crayons or whatever for use, and the other boxes were put in a backup supply for anyone who needed. The tissues and stuff were immeditaly taken by teacher for class use. Someone took the school board to court over this. Saying that our state promises a free education until 12th grade, and so we shouldnt have to fund the classroom. Those extra things on the list stopped after that

delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't see how this is even legal. This is one weird fringe teacher I think. I hope.

mikekozubski_1 avatar
DaFetus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not school supplies but lunches. When I was younger, my father was useless and left my mom, he came from a good family lot of money, yet never helped us. My mom did what she could to ensure I never knew we were poor. Yet I was and I went to school in a poor area. I remember when I first started, they would go around asking if kids had a lunch.if they didn't something would be done...that something. Well my mom like I said when out of her way to ensure I never knew we were poor...No I had amazing lunches...lunches my teacher would later sY to the principal were to good for a child and better even then what she had. Well we were a week in to my lunches being stolen from me by the teacher because "I obviously ate good enough at home".when we were on a field trip and another teacher did the same thing to me... She said I guess you didn't bring a lunch either, I told Indid and showed her the lunch my mom made, which she snitch up, gVe me her sandwich and ate my lunch herself.

mikekozubski_1 avatar
DaFetus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went home and told my mom I was hungry and she asked why and that's when I told her what was happening. We went to the school the next day, and my teacher defended what she and the other did, saying kids don't need such fancy lunches. My lunch, 2 sandwiched with lettuce, tomatoes, 2 types of meat and cheese. I would not call that fancy , never seen that school again after my mom went nuclear.

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craigreynolds avatar
Craig Reynolds
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's theft. The conference would begin with me telling the teacher she is stealing my kid's personal supplies and it is to stop immediately or I file a theft complaint with the school board and police if it continues.

heather_talma avatar
Heather Talma
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The f**k kind of school even does/allows this??? Only thing we were supposed to buy that went to the entire class was boxes of tissues. (Come to think of it, why did we have to do that?)

stefaniepatterson avatar
BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same and we shouldn't have had to. Blame the local politics not finding education properly

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asimpsoncake avatar
Anna Simpson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In our country the list the teachers send home is brand specific (mid-range price and fit for purpose) and the local stores make stationary packs that are all the same. You name all the books but the pens, pencils, markers etc are all shared supplies. No one misses out on their education due do not having a pencil and there is fairness and there is a feeling of collaboration. Everyone contributes. If a family cant afford the supplies and they let the school know, another family or the school can anonymously sponsor them. If you want named supplies in a pencil case you're welcome to have them.

hoshireed avatar
Hoshi Reed
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Brazil, but grew up in the US. In Brazil the kids wear uniforms even in public schools for much the same reason as the supplies that are to be within the same range - though you can personalize them you can not have the highest quality either. Disparity can lead to low self-esteem. Growing up in the US, though there was no uniform, we were not allowed to wear nikes as they were high end and some kids were killed for them.

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startup3 avatar
Mary Ford
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stand your ground and go into this meeting with the principal and ask if they don't mind being recorded. If it's a problem go to the board and think of removing your child to another class. I've never heard of this in any school district.

michaelmcginniss avatar
Michael McGinniss
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a middle school teacher, I am with the mom. She bought everything on the list for the class.TEACHER READ THIS YOU RECEIVED EVERYTHING YOU ASKED FOR! THE extra is NOT for you it belongs to the student, yes she has her name on it, that is so you and fellow students know they are hers.

asherikamichaela avatar
AshErika Michaela
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. OP bought both general stuff for the class, knowing it would be handed out, in addition to buying her daughter her own things. Since she can apparently afford to do so, why not let her? The other kids are still getting their supplies regardless.

lenaz_1 avatar
Lena Z
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the teacher wants every kid to have the same stuff so badly, wouldn't it be way more practical to have the teacher order in bulk and have the parents just give them the money? (Could even be cheaper with bulk prices, but would also mean more work for the teacher of course) When I went to school, no teacher even considered collecting and redistributing all the things, they only gave stuff from the school stack to the kids who didn't have or forgot their own...

hoshireed avatar
Hoshi Reed
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This solves everything. All these comments seem to be about quantity and don't see the quality/value disparity. Everyone needs pants but don't discuss the disparity between the student with designer jeans and the kid with the cheap brand. This can cause self esteem issues and a bulk buy can nip this problem in the bud

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vclavevanmraek avatar
Invisible Potato
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

next time the teacher will redestribute marks? like, shw was A, and he was F, and now everyone have C, even those who did well, why should they bother doing great if it doesnt matter? its a same thing.

britishcanadian avatar
British Canadian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their first introduction to Socialism by the comrade teacher for wealth distribution

sharreldinebowers avatar
Sharreldine Bowers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg, thank you! I am so surprised that more people don't recognize this for what it is, socialism and communism. I would totally go old-school 1950s and call that teacher a Commie.

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gemmelltastic avatar
Got Myself 4 Pandas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What in the blinkin heck is going on in these schools? I get some places schools may struggle with a budget and ask for donations to help out - my kids nursery asked for cleaning supplies/wipes/specific food items for class snacks etc but it was entirely voluntary - I buy my kids their new pencil case with pencils, coloured pencils etc but to be honest they rarely even use them as they get given supplies from the school that are kept in their own personal drawers that they use more often - the idea of the teacher taking what I bought specifically for my own child and handing it to another child would really p**s me off - I wouldn't object to buying extra for classroom purposes but I'm not having my kids property taken off them. I've often got them personalised items just to make them less likely to get mixed up, my son came home with the wrong coat the other day, didn't even look like his, the school year only started last week

propgamerxl avatar
Boerenhond
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Obey the teacher and then take her couch if she has a nicer one than you or her car.

jonasthetrex avatar
The Red Panda (she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds ridiculous and like a good way to encourage everyone having crappy supplies, as it is always better in the situation to buy the cheapest supplies available. What idiot decided this was a good idea, let alone so important that no supplies can be labeled?

othornhill6792 avatar
Bisces
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nononono. 1. Op bought the supplies for Mia, not Sally, Bobby or Timmy 2. The teacher really wanna do this with monkeypox going around?

codyhill avatar
Cody Hill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a Democratic ran society this is definitely a new norm considering it sounds like redistribution of supplies and a low ball start of communism that the Democrats seem to love. It's off and it seems like no one here had to deal with it when they were in school.

hornedape avatar
Yargarble
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public education in the US is one of the most corrupt entities we have. The amount of funds that go into the pockets of the execs at the top is obscene yet no one says much because they have the easy angle of shaming anyone who would dare be "against (free) education". However, like so many other issues in this country, nothing will change as long as 51% of the population agrees to disagree with the other 49% over petty bulls*×t. Don't bother coming at me with excuses about it being the other sides fault. Democrats, Republicans, you're both the problem. Bipartisan politics are decisive by nature. Divided we fall.

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Districts should be given basic funding to operate, provide school supplies, keep the school maintained. Additional spending for discretionary spending on a new football field, or whatever else not necessary for basic education should be earned on a merit-based system. Schools that can demonstrate year of year improvement of test scores would be awarded a new football field, and extra money for extra spending and the like. This would encourage hard work. Salaries should be even across all districts. All teachers should be paid the same. Top performers are awarded bonuses. Other salary increases should be based on inflation to keep up with cost of living, no more, no less.

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sunrizez avatar
Strawblurries
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This encourages some parents to skip school shopping knowing their kids will be given supplies from the redistribution programs and giveaways. Why buy what you correctly assume you'll get for free.

otisfrimp avatar
Otis Frimp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly the same applies to food. While some parents truly cannot afford to feed their children, when you feed them in school for free it trained parents that they do not have to and now we find kids going hungry over the summer because their parents have gotten unused to the job of feeding them and sadly making the sacrifices that are needed to feed them even with WIC and EBT.

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hellbilliehippie avatar
Purple Daydream
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I labeled all my childrens supplies with a label maker so the sticker is hard to take off . One my kids was using 8 broken crayons after I bought 10 at beginning of year so no more sharing.

meredithlphelps avatar
Meredith Phelps
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. I hate this. I buy nice stuff for MY KID. I also buy plenty of extras. Kleenex, expo markers and coffee pods are on Amazon subscription and show up to the school anonymously, to be distributed to any/every teacher as the office sees fit. My kid’s teacher gets 250 sharpened Ticonderoga pencils in Aug and Jan. I give plenty, and so you can keep your paws off my kid’s stuff.

valica810 avatar
Valerie Mace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its funny the States keep saying part of lottery goes to schools . Well what are the schools doing with it?

missmelissacooper avatar
Missy Cooper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. I went to the smallest and poorest school in my area, and they always provided for us. In early elementary school, they requested that our parents buy their own kids certain items (pencils, paper, a composition book, backpack), but when we got to school the first day, we had boxes that were out together for us (our names and teachers listed on the boxes) with crayons, glue, rulers, colored pencils and scissors. In later elementary school, they would have us come by the school about a week before it started, and they had clothes, backpacks, pencil boxes, and all the school supplies we would need, and they had something for every student. I'm sorry, but it's expensive enough on the parents to buy for their own kids, without having to buy for everyone else's. And I was one of the poorest kids in my school. I'm sorry, but I think that parents should only have to buy for their own kids. This year, my sister had to buy school supplies for 3 kids and 3 different classes. It's not right.

aprilkruse avatar
April Kruse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My granddaughters were devastated that they had to share the supplies they got for school! I couldn't buy them what they wanted because I knew they would have to give them up. It is out of control, this whole generation plus of people expecting to always have everyone treated and getting the same! The real world doesn't comply, everyone needs to learn that! Yes, it sucks to be the kid whose parents couldn't get what they need. The idea of a FREE and APROPRIATE education doesn't exist! I spend so much every year it's unbelievable! Not being cold, but not my granddaughters problem! If we made education funding more of a priority and cut out the political funding, just imagine where we could be!!! That's only one area, there are many more that could be adjusted to allow for better education and ultimately a better country

thegirlinsideherhead avatar
An Unpopular Opinion.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell is going on in public schools?? That's stealing, that's what that's called

leas_ avatar
Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a lot to unpack here. This is definitely frustrating as a parent. It's common to get kids excited for school by letting them choose their favorite pattern, color, theme etc. for their supplies. Taking that away is taking away one of the positives. I think it would also make it harder if kids are using a certain theme/color to recognize their things and stay visually focused. Mixing it all up (in my head, I have an NVLD) would be like trying to play cards with a card from each from 52 decks. I'm not sure if the teacher is trying to achieve something specific - or just flexing that she's the damn boss and will have it the way she likes. All that said - the fact that you got her the extra supplies she wanted and contributed to the classroom supply should make all of this moot. The problem may also have something to do with bullying/teasing in the classroom. I know it sounds snowflake-y to a lot of parents but hey - kids constantly heckling and bickering makes the enjoyable act of

leas_ avatar
Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

teaching feel like torture. It slows you down, it f*****g burns you out, you lose your train of thought and start repeating yourself again and again. IF that is the case - the focus should be on teaching your kids to be good people. I say keep doing what you're doing as far as nice supplies for her, and more generic ones for the classroom supply bank. Keep in mind that having your child's name on things can be an unsafe tactic.

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wehf100 avatar
Wilf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or you could live in a civilised country where the school provides everything you need to study.

tarsa13 avatar
CL Rowan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should we have made that decision before we were born, as the jerk further up the line proclaimed?

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kmchafin avatar
Kathleen Chafin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I pay a boat load of property tax of which 60% goes to local school and I have no kids. For the love of God, just supply pencils, crayons, paper, binders etc by the school and take it out of my taxes. Stop this nonsense

ranger9 avatar
Cory Wilson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. This is nothing more than the schools attempt at indoctrinating children into thier little Socialist Utopia. It isn't a parent's problem if another parent is less successful in life. And I don't mind helping out other little rug rats. As long as it is voluntary.

ryanwhite avatar
Ryan White
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand not all people have the resources and school supplies/cloths can be hard for many families. Its a great idea to have parenta bring extra when they can afford to but it shouldnt be a requirement and they should absolutley not be allowed to take kids supplies from them. Its wrong. It sends à bad message. Sharing is great but if you work hard and are able to have nicer things then good for you. Taking that away tells kids that they dont have to qork hard, that they are allowed to take what someone has simply because they cant afford it. Life isnt fair and thats ok. We need to teach our kids that. Teach them to work hard and make good choices. Call me a ah but thats reality. And that builds GOOD characterwich this country is desperatly loosing year after year.

heathermatlock avatar
Heather Matlock
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a teacher in a poor district. While we shouldn't have to foot the bill for children that don't have school supplies, other families shouldn't have to either. This teacher should've asked for what was needed and asked for donations for needy students.

magentamanganit avatar
MagNat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. If your kid wants to share with her classmates, she will. The teacher is an a*****e for trying to force this.

beccadiy2-0 avatar
Becca estrada
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in kindergarten, my parents and I were poor, we managed to buy school supplies, little did I know that my hand chosen pink puppy folders would be taken from me and given to other girls while I was left with plain ripped yellow folders, I cried my eyes out and was ignored by my teacher and comforted by a teachers aid, it was the first time I ever chose something by hand and it was taken away from me. I started writing my name in sharpie on my supplies ever since, teachers please don’t do this anymore

brittanyfreitag avatar
Brittany Freitag
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This lady had the right idea. Ill be getting custom for my kids and bringing the extra for the class. Who is this teacher to tell this Mom what she can do for her kid. They did redistribution of glue sticks and little things in my day but not the big stuff. That was the fun part of back to school being able to pick our supplies I guess they want to ruin that.

jessicaotto_1 avatar
Momma Jess
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no...no no no...if you take my child's things we WILL have a problem. My child would immediately be moved to a different teacher. This is just ridiculous, lol, come on! My mother would find and get me personalized notepads and stationary AS AN ADULT...what is the issue here aside from the teacher?

melissaeunson avatar
DublinGirl
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember my dad putting my name on my school supplies when I was in primary school (Irish equivalent of elementary). I think it also teaches kids to take care of their belongings, be responsible and happy 😁

rickicker avatar
Ricky Namara
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a teacher, and I say this with all due respect: that is some b******t. I have never heard of this kind of rule in the school I worked in, and any lack in supplies that students experienced should be compensated by the school, not the teacher or other parents. It's not a parent's job to make sure that all the kids in the classroom are cared for, it's the school's job to do that! And if they can't do it, well guess what? Maybe you have no business opening up a school!

nathan2223 avatar
Niko Nathan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any teacher doing this or believes this is good needs to be fired. It is theft plain and simple.

terryarbgast avatar
Terry Arbgast
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sky high property taxes that fund schools. All kinds of other taxes. And kids have to bring pencils. This is a quote from every state that has a lottery. (Vote to let the lottery in our state, it will slove the school budget problems) Liars, most of the lottery school funds go into a general fund. Ridiculous

sabinamcdaniel avatar
Sabina McDaniel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am aware of teachers buying items for classroom use, and of parents buying community items. It grinds my gears when I see schools making expensive renovations to their architecture or stadiums when parents and teachers are giving out of their own pockets to provide basic supplies. Ick. Horrible behavior.

derekpierrot avatar
derek pierrot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I went to elementary school (which was 25 years ago), nobody redistributed any thing. What you brought was what you got. I was poor.

michaelkridler avatar
Michael Kridler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does the question say Facebook is divided when it's completely obvious by these comments that nobody is divided and it would appear that their is no confusion on whom the ah may be?

april_caron avatar
April Caron
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a teacher and I’m going to explain why I opt for “community supplies.” It’s not an issue of expecting parents to provide supplies for kids who don’t bring them…or even to provide expensive supplies, while some parents buy generic items. It’s about equalizing things (to avoid conflict) and teaching children to share, which is not an innate skill. As for items that are different/customized…they cause conflict. Kids “show off” these items, making other kids feel bad. They usually don’t mean to…they’re just proud of their stuff. If a child touches an item that doesn’t belong to them, it can cause an argument/fight. Things end up stolen, go missing, or get traded. I need to TEACH your children…and NOT spend time meditating conflict or managing supplies. (See Part 2…)

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see your point about having things be common and equal. But don’t redistribute the pony binders. Send it back with the kid to take back home to use at home. And explain to the parents that common supplies, with no customization should be brought to be shared as a community at school. Or buy in bulk, and ask the parents to put money towards that instead. And explain why. It isn’t right, or a teacher’s job to take personal items and redistribute. That’s theft. Send it back home with the kid. Tell them it should stay home to avoid conflict. Or if kids want to personalize. Have a fundraiser to buy extra discretionary items for the class, like stickers, so that everyone can personalize their standard blue, white, black, red, or whatever folders.

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carrie_7 avatar
Carrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before meeting with the teacher I would ask the principal to join in the meeting just because.

dolphinsandmermaids avatar
JustTryingToGetBy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a teacher for 11 years. There are some supplies that are purchased for the classroom on the supply lists like cleaning wipes, dry erase markers, Kleenex, etc. I feel like the school district should provide those classroom items, but they don't. I am 100% against the idea of teacher's combining the personal school supplies that their parents purchased for them into a community pile. Kids like their special notebooks, pens, etc. that are in their favorite colors and characters. It's not up to individual parents to supply school supplies for other people's children. I do not agree with what this teacher is doing at all! I think the mom should approach the meeting with the teacher (which is ABSURD that the teacher is calling a meeting) with the attitude that it is her money and that she purchased everything on the list for her child and the extra items are the only items for the entire class. I hope that this teacher is not singling out this child but I have a feeling the teacher is

davidbrown_12 avatar
David Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in elementary school this wasn't a thing. We got the normal list of things needed for that year and went out and bought what was on that list. There was no redistributing of anything when we finally got to school. I can see where there would be a need for kids that their parents couldn't afford the stuff or just refused to buy every single thing on the list. I know things have changed since the early 90's but school supplies for elementary school kids can still be bought on the cheap. Crayons, pencils, paper and the like are still cheap. Backpacks and clothes are a different beast when it comes to affordability but again can still be bought cheap if you know where to go. The school system shouldn't expect parents to go out and buy for their kids just to have it all go into a pot and their own child end up with crappy stuff they didn't buy in the first place. It's nonsense that this teacher is blowing this out of proportion. I would ignore her completely.

ajones_1 avatar
A Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This doesn't seem normal tbh. It has been years since I was a kiddo in classrooms, but our teachers never had to take things from the students for sharing or redistribution. The schools I've been too never resorted to this. There was even a supply program too for those who didn't have enough. Do the parents/children receive any consent when items are taken from them? If not, that's going to drive a lot of distrust between families and the academies.

hlmorgan avatar
Big Chungus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if this is in certain places because when I was in school (I went to a couple different ones growing up because of moving to different states) this never happened. You brought in what you got and that is what you used.

sonnykohler avatar
Sonny Kohler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this standard practice nowadays? I know I'm old having gone to school in the 70's and 80's, but I don't remember this ever having been an issue back then. Of course we also weren't using crayons, but, still... On another note - when I was in high-school, I can remember helping to restock the supply cabinets that the school used (paper, pencils, pens, etc...) and we even had a school store where you could buy your own personalized stuff with the school logo on it. Was I living in another world?

savannahyoung avatar
S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in school we used what we brought. There was no community pile of supplies that everyone had to give to and take from. This is so weird. Use what you bring?

brendaspagnola avatar
Brenda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always bought extra for the class. But I went so far as to label each crayon, pencils, everything.

rubyserene avatar
Ruby Serene
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a common practice for schools, and especially for charter or private schools to ask for extra supplies to keep in the classroom due to lower budgets. Another reason you might see is extras for low income students whose stuff breaks in the school year. Since the supplies aren't on sale anymore, it's even harder to afford. I don't really mind the idea of being asked to donate classroom supplies. However students are usually able to keep their own notebooks/binders. A lot of kids get things with characters/animals they like or even picked out themselves, so it's quite cruel to mess with that. This teacher definitely took things way too far.

bradlee avatar
Brad Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked as a Aide for years up to 2021, they gather ALL supplies in bins where I worked and redistribute. Kids and parents were not happy. It seems to be the current normal. The list however, did give very specific details, like plain notebooks, each color of folders etc.. No Labels or personalized.

kirara2516 avatar
kirara2516
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So is a girl buys a notebook with a unicorn because she loves unicorns and the teacher makes her give it up and she gets back a plain notebook, thats okay? What? That's wrong and leaves a bad impression of school. Kids should want to learn and have fun. Not look every day at the one who took their things and have bad feelings. I'm so glad my supplies stayed mine in my school years.

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amzhang avatar
Down With Agent Hedgehog!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happens at my school every single year. And I’m in high school. I brought nice school supplies with my own money, and then BAM teacher announced we are exchanging them. My mortal enemy got to choose first, and guess what she picked? My good school supplies. And I was stuck with broken ones.

nikkisonney avatar
Nikki Sonney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to my kids all through school. I would buy them supplies. At the end of the year, we'd get a bag sent back with random supplies in them. A handful of broken crayons, a couple pairs of scissors with someone else's name on them. Random leftover c**p. Definitely not what I expected them to be sent home with on the last day, but it's the last day. What are you going to do. When it happened again the next year, and the next, I just gave up. I have no idea what is happening in our schools, but I promise you're not the only one it's happening too. Just buy the cheap stuff and move on. Even labeling doesn't keep it from being taken away and shared.

candacemelton avatar
Candace Melton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the end of the day it dosent matter. Its her child and her money. It's a lot more importany problems in the school's.

killua_84 avatar
Lunar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh? Is that a common thing, to pool the kids' tools and redistribute them? I am so glad my school didn't have such culture. I would be very mad if my stuff goes to another person.

shawnnaclement avatar
Shawnna Clement
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez. Schools are a community, not a commune. We didn't do that when I was a kid (in the US). We bought/ used our own and replaced them when needed. It was exciting selecting your Trapper Keeper, getting your folders labeled and decorated for school. My first grader's supplies filled 4 reusable grocery bags and weighed nearly as much as him. Seriously, why can't our tax dollars pay for tissues and paper towels?

houself12 avatar
Renegade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought the crappy school supplies. I expected MY kids to use the crappy school supplies, not the kid's that could afford the nice supplies.

kirara2516 avatar
kirara2516
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in school I never had to share or give my extra supplies to my classmates. This teacher is angry because the girl had her name on her own stuff? Sounds like the teacher was trying to help herself to nice supplies. I'd contact the principal if I was OP.

jammiecoulter avatar
Jammie Coulter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Standardized education is really becoming way too stifling. A choice will be made if children will resume with individual choices, such as supplies, clothing and what they eat for lunch and just having their own ideas and style. Or, will parents allow this strange robotic, grey colored, everyone is the same, you can be a boy or a girl or nothing at all with no opinions, or individuality, grooming to continue. I wish a teacher would have tried to.pull this c**p with me. We want your daughter to learn, but her light needs to shine no brighter than any other child's. We are all the same here. No one is special. We need to talk to you about lowering the bar. It will make everyone more comfortable. We need you as a parent, to question yourself, even when you're doing everything right, so we can do and say whatever we want to your child, in the future, and you will be on public forums wondering why, and knowing it's only going to get worse, if you allow it to.

ivanakramaric avatar
Ivana Bašić
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where we live, it's normal for kids to share in preschool. We buy stuff, don't label any of it, it all goes into big boxes and everyone takes what they need only when they're using it, everything stays at school. The point is to teach them to share and cooperate, and to make it easier for everyone because little kids can't take care of so much stuff and it would give teachers more work to help them all the time. My daughter cared about her special supplies, glitter, her name, cute animals all over, so we kept those at home and bought generic for school. When they get to primary school, they should start learning to be more careful, so at that point each kid gets their own, we label everything, down to caps on markers, and they only pool things like drawing paper and tissues. It's pencils, I'm not going to war with the system over pencils.

rasheedashaheen avatar
Rasheeda Shaheen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All I am saying is if kids don't have the same supplies o well. So what's next everyone have to drive the same car at a job. We are making these kids weak. If you grow up with things not as nice you fight to do better for your kids. Everyone will not be equal let's stop creating whining brats.

giustizia avatar
Jus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What?? Buying supplies for others to mix? I had my own pencil case, I had to bring absolutely everything myself. There was nothing but desks and chairs in my classroom... It was fine. If someone struggles, people can help. But seriously. Nope, no sharing. No mixing my deluxe pencils with everyone else. Absurd!

alex51324 avatar
Alex Boyd
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand a teacher having complicated feelings about seeing some kids come in with little or nothing and others with a huge back-to-school shopping haul, but...I don't see how she thinks this would work without parents and kids getting upset about. And a big ruckus over it is going to be more embarrassing and stigmatizing for the "have-not" kids than just quietly putting what they need at their desk. If the teacher feels strongly about school supply inequality, she'd do better to put that energy into organizing a schoolwide supply drive. If families and community members bring things in, and then some volunteers sort them into packs based on each grade's supply list, it won't be obvious who has the "charity supplies," because it won't all be exactly the same; they'll have a mix of things from different stores, like everyone else. (And kids will be less likely to embarrass a classmate by blurting out, "your binder is just like the one we bought to give to the poor kids!")

alexandradavis avatar
Alexandra Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Brit and a retired teacher, I dont understand the requirement to buy extra stuff for the school? Surely it's the schools responsibility to buy supplies for the classroom as a whole/ for any kids whose parents can't/ won't buy them anything? The last school I worked in was in a deprived area and I had a budget to go out and buy a complete pencil case for any students who didn't have a set sent in from home for whatever reason. I brought all different styles and types so the kids didn't stand out with a generic case. This was standard in all schools I worked in. I don't understand the American method and as a parent and child I would be so hacked off of the equipment I bought was given to someone else!!

tutoredturtle avatar
Kathleen Benbow-Reis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like a little bit of bait-and-switch to me. If you did your due diligence by buying extra supplies for her classmates, and if you were not specifically instructed to refrain from your child having personalized supplies, then you appear to be in the right. If it were me, I might consider contacting the principal and explain the situation. I might also bring the mandatory list, the principal, and a recording device.

carrie_7 avatar
Carrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your definitely not in the wrong. Before meeting with the teacher I would goask the principal to join in on the meeting just because.

angelwingsyt avatar
AngelWingsYT
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isnt normal (though its been years since i was in grade school) the school has supplies of dollar store supplies for students who come from lower income families. Students are asked to buy their own if possible no more no less (though doing so is appreciated)

nishaylensmith avatar
Nishaylen Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm A Kindergarten teacher and this is crazy. When my kids bring in supplies (labeled or not) it is put in their own personal bin to use as needed throughout the school year. If I had left over school supplies from the previous school year that parents chose to donate I would use that for the current school year for those who don't have or I would purchase extra supplies for my class just in case. My school gives us "classroom money" for this reason. For my kids I would write their names on everything as well and I wouldn't send everything in at one time. I work hard to make sure my kids have everything they need for school. Something is really off with this picture (the teacher). She's going way to extreme over some school supplies. Don't let her or anyone else try to sway you. You bought the extras and they need to make due with that.

sindustrydesign avatar
Penny Kemper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think teachers so ask if you'd like to donate extras for kids that don't have any but shouldn't be required. Yes you kids get what you bought them. There teacher know parent pick what their kids like. So giving them to others is wrong. And is extra supplies what the PTA is for?

madmcqueen avatar
Mad McQueen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bring her good stuff home to do her home work on and turn into the he teacher as a fu an leave the other stuff at the school. And when she has her first party Gift all the kids something with their names on it too.

tristanantoine avatar
All's Gravy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's one thing to subsidise state school, it's something else to be subsidising all the other kids' learning too.

jessicar_3 avatar
jessica r
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the heck, parents have to buy their kids supplies? Where I come from SCHOOL provides the necessary stuff like pencils, paper, pens, paint, coloring pencils etc. Everything that is necessary for the education of the kids. Only extra stuff like a unicorn fountain pen or pink glitter crayons are brought by kids and they are their own. (And that way everyone has the necessary stuff from reasonable quality, not cheap a*s rubbish)

fuyu avatar
fu yu
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This buying extra school supplies was a thing when I was a kid. I remember not using at least half of the stuff that was purchased in the beginning of the school year and asking my mother about it.

nasiomnc avatar
Collette Moisan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My children's school tried this with me. I sent them to school with what they will use & told my children that if they used up an item to tell me & I would give them another one. Teacher called me & told me that they wanted everything at the school, because they would give to other children that couldn't afford them. I told them that I was a single parent & I can not & will not support other children, especially ones on assistance as they are given extra money for those items. If those parents spend that money on other c**p, I will not be supporting them. They stopped bothering me about it.

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alloutbikes@yahoo.com
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

2nd grade son's class had 10 classrooms of 20 kids each. ~200 total. Each was supposed to bring 72 pencils. That was 14400. That was almost 1500 pencils per room. We never saw a pencil and none were returned.

cynthiaqueen58 avatar
Cynthia Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter has ADHD. So when she was in elementary school, I put her name on everything even ordering personalized pencils. I went to school to join her for lunch (PTA parent lunch fundraiser) and although I sent 2 pencils in her back pack every day, she didn't have a pencil. So i looked to see if she had dropped it, and I saw that the child who sits next to her had the pencil. So that's where her pencils had disappeared to.

cynthia-vengraitis avatar
Cydney Golden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a teacher for 3 decades. Mandatory lists are essential so each child has what they need. I taught in a well to do district but we still requested supplies from parents. Plus different teachers require different items . The crazy part is letting other kids choose from everyone's stuff. If someone didn't have the supplies that were supposed to be sent in it, the PTA would supply.

mrsb4905 avatar
ADHD McChick
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with everyone here. In addition, I'd request the principal be present at that meeting. If the principal sided with the teacher, I'd take it higher. To the superintendent, or more. As high as I had to go. And I'd see if I could switch my daughter out of that teacher's class. Because teacher is going to resent her parents, and her by extension. I wouldn't risk my kid being snubbed or treated badly for a whole year, over a teacher being ridiculous.

nanxwarren avatar
yellowphantom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does seem like a trend. My older kids kept their own supplies, except for maybe kleenex, which was designated as for the class. But for their much younger brother, everything we sent was collected at the beginning of the year and randomly doled out as needed.

lisachambers2018 avatar
Salty Wild Hair
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very absurd of the teacher. She apparently subscribes to the communistic approach for school supplies. But education is based on individual effort. And when I attended school, I used my own money to buy what I wanted. I took pride in my work and having the supplies I wanted helped me do my best work. Some children will make it work with the most basic of supplies. Tell that teacher you will indeed meet with her and will be the one doing the talking. Her opinions on the matter are not necessary.

bmarrs avatar
Barbara Vandewalle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One year I had list of items for the school year. I sent the dozen pencils to school, thinking that when my daughter needed another pencil it would be there. NOPE! After a month she needed another pencil. There was not one pencil she brought to school for her. The students had used all the extra pencils and there was not one pencil for my daughter. The teacher sent a note telling me I had to buy more pencils for the class. Not happening. She had two pencils in her case. She needed pencils she got it at home. That was the last time I sent extras to the school.

chargerface avatar
LAM
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Out shopping one day before school started, I overheard two moms saying they had to buy tissues for the classroom. One mom said why should I spend money on tissues, are all the moms going to contribute or just us? The second mom said let's go to the dollar tree and get tissues, they have the same brands (yes they have puffs and scotts) and we can buy what we need and save some money. Not knowing how much was on their list but I thought that was a good idea. I haven't been in school for decades, so I was used to having some supplies for students, but not everything.

tonyg1710 avatar
Tony Giordano
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pure and simple, the teacher is a liberal leftist socialist democrat!

chrissprucefield avatar
Chris Sprucefield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the parent buys the pupil their stuff, and extras, taking the pupils personal items and giving them to someone else, is THEFT, and it is sending the wrong message to the students, that they can get whatever anyone else has, by force. The extras that was bought, not a problem. The teacher in this is just wrong, and should not be in teaching.

ruthf_1 avatar
Ruth F
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have been livid. All the required stuff was provided. If the teacher took anything else it was stealing. And the teacher ought to be told so. Perhaps she had a political agenda and wanted to prepare the kids for when they "will own nothing"?

jacquelinemcclellan avatar
jacqueline Mcclellan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stay firm. Thats your child and what you want for her. She probably wants xtra stuff for her own kid

treehugger98022 avatar
Sabrina Teller Metzger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA!!! Years ago, when my daughter went to school, I found out (when I visited her class for conference) that had been going on without my knowledge. I was Pi$$××! I was a struggling single mother who spent extra for My daughter's supplies, making sure I provided her with quality materials. Also, she is an only child, and is Meticulous with her stuff. Other kids are disgusting and filthy. Sorry, but it's true. It's not only dishonest to provide a list without telling you that none of it is for your own child, but for a class pool instead, but it's also horribly unsanitary to "share" and pass that stuff around. Certainly the past 2 years of Pandemic should have taught us that. For that, as well as numerous other reasons, I took her out of Brick-and-Mortar public schools, in favor of Virtual K-12 learning. A far, FAR better choice all the way around!

stevenjohnson_2 avatar
Steven Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Refuse the meeting or insist she have it with a lawyer. If I buy Crayola and my kid ends up with dollar tree I'm using the teacher personally and the school district. And you have every right to personalize supplies. Theft is rampant and apparently teachers encourage it.

sleepyone2three avatar
Matthew Fox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Admittedly I never went to a school with these policies though so it all seems a bit foreign to me, but my initial thought is to wonder how this type of system works in a post COVID world. Are the kids using different sets of supplies each day or are they being arbitrarily handed out for the year? If the former, is it the teacher having the kids wash their hands before and after each use as well as sanitizing the supplies between each use? If the latter, why not just allow the kids to stick with their own supplies and have the extra supplies the parents who were able and willing to give available for those who need them? Especially when the mom mentioned that the daughter is particular about the paper she has. Having a younger brother who's both on the spectrum and grew up with a fine motor skills disability, I can absolutely understand where she might be coming from.

kevincampbell_2 avatar
Kevin Campbell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was married to a teacher. She would get 200$ a year for supplies. Instead of getting supplies for the kids, she used it for posters and other decorations she could take with her. Those carry over to other schools and the next year, so after that it was seen as a bonus. That money was never looked at in respect to what it was spent on. I had to buy 2,000$ worth of tools and maintain them as a Lineman and 375$ boots. Also had to work year round. She was making more per hour when you compare her salary to hours worked. This was in three different states and one was outside Fayetteville NC in a high poverty area. Teachers get plenty to spend on their profession, but act like they don't and will never admit to getting money for supplies. Teaching kids to take care of their things because it's not easy to replace is a good lesson. Even with communism like this redistribution someone will always have something to be jealous of, and at a young age it's mostly friends.

hiltontyoung avatar
Hilton T Young
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Schools must be soft these days. we grew up in the 80s poor with a disabled dad and home maker mom. they just bought us pens, notepads, binders, paper, bookbags, etc. and when we ran low they had more for us from sales and discount stores. you had what you had and you didn't have what you didn't have. this is all part of the woke weak mindset of today where you try to force everyone to be the same instead of acknowledging that life ain't fair, but success comes to those who work the hardest

charlise6 avatar
Charlise Morris Lyons
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the EXACT reason I personalized my son's personal stuff. Not the extras that DO get redistributed ( which I found out the hard way last year when I spent over$500 and then was asked for more crayons for my kid " because he had none" ) .. So this year I bought most of the stuff to pass out and got my son his own stuff as well.

blatherskitenoir avatar
blatherskitenoir
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually the norm now for US schools. I don't know why the mom is surprised. It sounds like mom KNEW this would happen, and bought the customized items specifically for her child to have nicer than the other kids' stuff. Teacher is most likely going to ban the daughter from using any of the special stuff and have her take from the communal chest of materials. The principal will likely back the teacher. If mom raises holy hell, they'll probably say fine, use the special stuff, but.....mom will then be red flagged as one of *those* parents, so she can kiss teacher goodwill goodbye until the girl graduates (they ALL gossip. All of them) and the daughter will be singling herself out. Maybe she's the type to pull it off and become queen bee-ish, maybe the other kids will steal her stuff and break it while they make fun of her, or (middle ground,) they do nothing, but think she's weird for having her own stuff.

greggthompson_1 avatar
Gregg Thompson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have done the same thing. Sounds like the teacher has some sort of complex. Go to the meeting with a friend and invite the principal and vice principle. I'd even try to get a school board member. Let this teacher explain her actions.

blatherskitenoir avatar
blatherskitenoir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is a misunderstanding between what mom views as the "classroom supplies" and what she does not. She is probably thinking the stuff like tissues are for the classroom and everything else is personal. But it's not. In the younger grades, it is very common nowadays that ALL supplies go in a communal pot. All pencils, all paper, all notebooks, everything. They are all given over to the teacher, who stores them until needed for an activity. All mixed together. This is done so kids who have no supplies are never singled out, and because otherwise the kids run out of paper, pencils etc. by winter break, or lose the notebook needed for the spring journalling activity. They don't label things because it'll cause issues if things get lost and be a pain to track 30-100+ students' personal materials. A clue that this is what will happen is if a teacher requests specific brands. Daughter is most likely going to be told she cannot use any of the personalized items.

marydewitt avatar
Mary DeWitt
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This teacher is ridiculous. Maybe she needs to buy more supplies with her own money. You are not responsible for classroom supplies or any other child's supplies. Tell your child to use the supplies and if the teacher has an issue then she needs to take up the classroom budget allotment with the school board. No meeting! No way!

hatiwolf avatar
Hati Wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love to talk to that teacher. Behaviorally you just advanced the child's learning capability which is supposed to be what teachers do. The child identifies with said items and now will more likely use them and with positive feeling. I'm more driven to enjoy or even do my work at all when I'm handing tools I connect with positively. Conversely when I work with items that don't work as well with they make me avoid the task. Last week in my lab I was working with pens with a wide ball. It made writing information in the small square a chore and over a week I found myself not liking the task of culture transfers on petri dishes over a generic tool even though it was my chosen expensive pens I use to write and sign documents. So I went online and bought ultra fine point pens in a style I liked visually and that also added ease ergonomically for my task. A week later I find myself wanting to deal with petri dish transfers again. A teacher is supposed to help attract students to work.

troup avatar
Stephen Troup
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eliminate 1 $100k salaried useless school bureaucrat and you can supply all the classroom supplies for the district.

keekeedeke avatar
Kim Motsinger Thompson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teachers would not like me (and often didn't when my kids were little), I would not give a F*** what the teacher had to say. If I'm spending my money on supplies for my child, I want my child using it. I also don't care if the teacher has to buy supplies for the classroom herself, oh well... the money I spend is for my child, not the class. Period. That is exactly what I would tell the teacher, if she doesn't like it, too damn bad. I'll be personalizing everything all year long.

speckledragoncat avatar
Speck Negriit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm A Student, And Every School I've Been To (Had To Switch Due To Moving), Had A Room With Supplies And My Current School Has A Place You Go To Gather Things Even For Out Of School, Like Toothbrushes/Paste, And Other Things Like It. I Can't Believe That Teacher, Hopefully They Get Fired.

sabrinaiglesia avatar
Sabrina Iglesia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a parent and I do the same thing. I buy what is on the supply list, then I get what my son wants personalized. This teacher is ridiculous. What she is trying to do is keep control over supplies. Who has what and that way she can send out more request later in the year if need be. If your child has their own supplies she will have extra but it may not be enough to for all those in need at the same time she won't be able to request the class parents send in more supplies. I had one of my son's school try to tell us that so the PTA came up with 1/2 year fund raiser for school supplies. That put a stop to that.

leslieagostino avatar
Leslie Agostino
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Redistribution of school supplies? To me this sounds like this teacher believes in socialism. Red flag in my opinion. She is showing her political affiliation w/o show her affiliation. I would request a transfer to another class if this was a teacher my kid would be dealing with

laylaagahi avatar
layla agahi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They did this it my sons school too. They took all his supplies and mixed it up with everyone else's. He even got in trouble for having special twistable colored pencils..

marshmallowpeepsbunny avatar
Marshmallow PeepsBunny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why more and more parents and students are turning to online school.for K-12 kids, to avoid the burgeoning crisis of teachers who bully children and single them out because they don't fit in to their idea of perfect children. Teacher is a joke, and this encounter with someone this passive aggressive is alarming. Imagine another months with this teacher? She is probably bipolar and the schools.need teachers so.she gets away with this c**p.

marshmallowpeepsbunny avatar
Marshmallow PeepsBunny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why more people are turning to online schools K-12 tp breal free of teachers who bully kids and tale their stuff. This teacher is a joke. If things are already this rough in the beginning of the year, imagine at least more than 9 months with this passive aggressor.

leahlandry avatar
Leah Landry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA! You have done NOTHING wrong. Every student should use their own supplies. When I was a kid there were always people trying to take my stuff...even clothing...and exchange it for their own stuff that wasn't taken care of as properly as I took care of my things. If the teacher wants everyone to have generic supplies or a group supply she needs to specify that next year. Maybe generic supplies could be donated to students whose parents can't afford it as well.

johnschroeder avatar
John Schroeder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What might the teacher think about some of her paycheck being redistributed to the parents of the students? Fair enough, no?

lindatierney avatar
Linda Tierney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to know why the school budget is not supply for the children. It cost $5000,per student and that was 30 years ago. What on earth are they doing with the money we pay taxes for. Yes get notebooks and folders a few things. But I remember kids going in my own desk taking things of mine. Schools need to have a supply room like when we were kids. Education is important. But education that teaches that we are communist that is wrong. Taking a child's supply's is wrong. If I were you I would complain to the Sau and have a meeting of your own the the principal a superintendent. Tell them that you are going to talk to the newspaper about this practice of stealing from children.

darianstarfrog avatar
Darian Starfrog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nta.. the holy c**p! This is a THING in the u.s!? Man! America has ISSUES!!! NO funding for SCHOOLS!? Man! They REALLY want you dumb eh! Crazy! Never heard of anything like this.. in NZ, Samoa or Australia! Madness!

becca75 avatar
Becca Hauck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first year that I was required to send printer paper, 3 containers of disinfectant wipes, 3 boxes of tissues, big bottle of hand sanitizer, big pack of dry erase markers, zip lock bags, etc.etc.? I labeled everything with my son's name. The teacher was pissed. A teacher friend of mine told me that it was because they get enough tissues and disinfectant wipes, etc. that they take a portion of them home for their family's use.

christinevalencia avatar
Christine Valencia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a normal thing... What I hated was buying the supplies requested on the list then meet the teacher happened and she/he had a completely different list... So I decided every year from then on I would ask who the teacher was then meet her. Then specifically asked for her supply list and buy only the supplies she asked for... The school supply list from the office is a list to supply all the teachers for every child you have some supplies on the list go to your child's class but not all...

dipsitincrazy avatar
dips itincrazy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I would say have a plan for the students that can't afford school supplies and such to have a community drive where people can donate stuff. This way we all win . I don't have kids in school today but I always throw in on stuff for the community

sharreldinebowers avatar
Sharreldine Bowers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm actually surprised no one is putting a name to this attitude: that's communism. Everything belongs to the folks in charge, regardless of cost or effort, and is distributed equally or as how they see fit, so everyone is "equal" and no one is special. It always sounds fine on paper, but is a very demeaning way of life, and highly inappropriate for a teacher to practice with school supplies.

stevendinowindfeld avatar
Steven Windfeld
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of third rate teacher would steal a kids' supplies? This would never be allowed in Denmark.

ianst_john avatar
Ian St. John
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So when did the USA become communist? If there is a problem with some students not having the finances for all their needs, it would be better if there was a drive or link to support groups to fill in the gaps. From everyone according to their (fiscal) ability, to everyone according to their need shouldn't be the plan. There should be a voluntary community effort to fill in the gaps or an organized political movement to stop the shift of wealth to the private sector which is leaving the public sector and lower income classes too stretched to succeed.

rosslynstreet avatar
Rosslyn Street
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this a thing in the US? I'm from another country and in my country, that doesn't happen, well idk about public schools cause I always went to private schools and they always gave out a list of school supplies, there were things like hand soap, paper towels and rolls and some material that had to be bought to share with everyone but aside from those, all the supplies were mine and mine only, we never had to distribute them with anyone else unless we were willing to share, by high school, a list of supplies were no longer given, everyone was allowed to bring whatever they wanted or could afford

otisfrimp avatar
Otis Frimp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The redistribution of the wealth has been going on for a while in classrooms and is expected by a number of teachers. They think it is only "fair" that those who have more means supply for those who have less or at least those who didn't care to spend the money. The only solution for this is to buy the worst supplies you can find for the communal pool if a teacher is going to be sticky about this. There have been many cases of the good supplies being taken from kids and pushed into the closet and never seen again by the child who brought them in.

luisvalencia avatar
Luis Valencia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a taste of that "equity" they've been trying to shove down our throats. Enjoy!

laynamats avatar
Layna Mats
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

School supplies should be for the child who purchased them.

a_r_t_s_fasttrack avatar
Ahsoka Tano
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former Girl Scout leader and cheerleaders coach who had to constantly buy supplies for the girls, I understand the need for schools to have extra items set up for students whose families cannot afford them. That said, you fulfilled your obligations by buying extras for the classroom which is all you were requested to do. There is nothing wrong with your child wanting something that is hers alone and making sure that it isn't taken from her. Children need to be able to express individuality even at young ages as it helps define who they are and creativity. If your daughter finds that in having items that are uniquely hers, so be it. The teacher has no say in it. I used to buy blank notebooks, stickers, markers, paints, and let the girls decorate their notebook the way they wanted. They then had cubbies to put their items it. It became their responsibility to remember to put it back, keep track of where they left it. Also teaches responsibility.

scottkenny135 avatar
Bionic Bionic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You people act like it's ok since she bought extra for the class, no it's not my responsibility to do anything except for my kid and if I want to personalize them that's my choice too, if a teacher is taking kids supplies and redistributing them, that's stealing and charges should be pressed against the teacher

debbieschaap avatar
Deborah Schaap
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The school she buy stationary for the students, Who cant afford it, having a list and buying for your child to share with the class is ridicioulous, my Mom bought me Faber castelle pencils to colour in, i was shocked at the teacher demanding i share them, and the other kids destroyed them

justsimplyshonda1 avatar
Shonda Hinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have worked in the classrooms for years as a teachers aide. Never have I heard of such nonsense this teacher is tripping. Take a witness and get her straight now so she does not take it out an pick on your child for the rest of the year. I work with behavioral children and one thing they do not do is share!

wjh_1 avatar
WJH
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make sure you have a third party with you, somebody you know and trust. And maybe the principal or vice principal as well. This teacher will probably be "teaching" things that have nothing to do with the subject they teach. This parent did nothing wrong, in fact was generous by giving extra that could go to others. The supplies you buy are meant for Your child, is often picked out by Your child. And is not meant for other children. To take everything from every child and then have them choose what they want NO NO AND NO. They've already chosen with their parents.

lindeeg avatar
Lindee G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm now a grandma of 15. I personalize with their names so they don't get stolen or swapped. Tough nickels if princess teacher doesn't like it.

mrwhitetpd_1 avatar
Marguerite White
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No way would that teacher take my supplies. I fought that battle years ago. I told them under no circumstances were they to take my child’s supplies. I consider that stealing. I also labeled everything. Had no problem supplying extra pencils and crayons as all kids lose or break them but would not supply extra notebooks or binders. If a specific child needed supplies I would anonymously donate those items to that child. Too many worthless parents out there are perfectly capable of supplying needed items and either don’t or supply c**p. Not my problem! That’s what all the exorbitant taxes are for!!

jimibest avatar
Porpoisepower
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm just pissed that we don't fund our schools enough that parents have to provide supplies for their kids. I mean if your kid wants BTS/Pokemon/pride folders/binders or #3 pencil's that's one thing. But there's lot's of stuff the school district should be supplying the classrooms with but can't. Even when my kid gets out of school I'll b happy to pay $10-20 extra year in property taxes and make sure the school can afford tissues and disinfectant wipes.

nadirearopma avatar
Sarah Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's complete BS for a teacher to get angry like that. Anything I say has already been said in the comments from the thread above. But, I think I've got an idea as to why the teacher was angry. It's a power trip. I think they're one of those teachers who enjoys exerting control over the kids and when that control is threatened by not being able to do what she wants, she got angry at it.

lisamurray_2 avatar
Lisa Murray
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel she should have had her own supplies if that's what her mom wanted but I understand what they're doing they're trying to set it up so that no kid feels like they don't have Nice things. Parents out there will purposely buy more expensive items so that their child can go to school and brag about how much more money they have than somebody else.

deannayoung avatar
Deanna Young
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this a absolute ridiculous request for other parents to supply for other children's needs. It's not fair to a parents to be forced into buying more than their child needs. Every parent is and should be respoñsiabe for their own children. It's expensive enough to buy what their own children need. If the school feels the need to share materials then they should provide for needy children.Not other parents. For the record. If a child has no lunch money,clothing,shoes or coat are they gonna start forcing other parents to pay for that too. I feel it every parents responsibility to provide for their own children. Parent may want to start buying things a head of time to insure their kids have what they need before school starts. Let this teacher do the same to help out

dereklotek avatar
Derek Lotek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is simply the teacher normalizing redistribution of wealth.

nedilskaanastasiia avatar
removebeforeflight
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find the whole concept of collecting supplies and handing them to children at school a little bit stupid. In my country we don't have something like this. My parents were buying me my own nice supplies, and I have always carried them with me. We didn't leave them at school, and the fact that some of the students had sh*tty supplies didn't influence other students who had nice supplies. ETA: of course we were sharing our things with others if they had forgotten them at home, but teachers had no deal with that

excalibur_1 avatar
Excalibur
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to me. I went to a private school and every year my parents ticked the buy everything box. So, over the years my stash built up. Then one year the teacher asked me to share with a poorer kid and i said no. She made me stand up and asked again i said no. My parents paid for these things. This private education, you can afford the fees so buy the stationery. The teacher called my mom and told her i won't share. My mom ripped the teacher a new one. My mom is also a state school teacher so she gets the teacher's point. But no she bought me nice things.

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. This practice falsely “evens” the playing field. This stuff should just be supplied by the school. Work provides us common equipment to use to do our jobs as adults (office supplies, pens, tools of the trade, etc.) What do we pay taxes for if it isn’t for school supplies? Yes, funding for schools is going down, and no teachers shouldn’t have to reach into their own pocketbooks for supplies. But, this is a problem that should be brought to administrators and teachers unions to lobby for more funding for school supplies, not for discretionary spending. That funding should be earned by schools that show they are improving test scores of students (not necessarily top scores, but year over year improvement in scores). This would motivate kids to work harder, and motivate teachers and administrators to work harder to make sure everyone is learning, and doing their best to improve, to receive more funding for discretionary spending on nicer playground equipment, and the extras.

bonniedasilva avatar
RockSteady
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We reuse supplies every year because most of the stuff we buy comes back with only a few pages used or the folders barely touched. I got a note this year that only new supplies are to be handed in. I told the teacher to go pound sand. We believe in sustainability in our home and there is no reason gently used for MY OWN KID cannot be accepted. She then told they gather all the supplies and redistribute. Why? What sense does that make? The best is that I have a left handed son so I bought left handed supplies for him. They took those away and gave them all right things (like scissors and notebooks).

lauramandadocacho avatar
Laura Mandado Cacho
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ridiculous, when I was in school I had my own supplies, I understand providing for those that can't affords them, but I would have hated it if they had taken mine and given them to someone else. Is this normal in USA? Because as far as I know it doesn't happen in Spain

ribnosnorgna avatar
Ribno Snorgna
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lmao quality ""journalism"" right here...no sources, no proof. Just a reddit thread clearly farming for easy karma. Are you a moron?

adelinaflores avatar
Adelina Flores
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am assuming this story comes from America: I thought Americans disliked communism. Turns out they teach it in elementary 🤣

2-katniss avatar
A falz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not a parent or grandparent. But when I heard about this practice a few years ago I was appalled. Parents have a hard enough time providing supplies for their kids and the school wants you to buy for other kids. I personally think that the lists should be just for the kid but put at the bottom of the list if you would like to donate an extra item it would be appreciated. I feel that would get a better response then to require the parent/parents to provide for the classroom.

cab102361 avatar
Candy Berg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is ridiculous. This is something made up to make someone way less fortunate feel better than someone else. While the heart is in the right place, the sentiment is incorrect. She not only bought her child her supplies but bought extras. Taking from one who supposedly has a better set to give to another is ridiculous. I always bought more than was asked because I knew not every parent would and there was need. But I’d never ever condone this behavior. I’d rather supply another child myself.

abbieallbee avatar
abbie allbee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No schools I went to or my 3 adults children allowed personify stuff either. So I never bought it unless it was for home

corieemery avatar
Corie Emery
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See my parents would buy our list and then at the bottom every year but high school and junior high the teacher would write if the parents could donate any of the following for another student or the class as a whole. My parents would buy two sets for my brother and myself and would write that they would prefer it to go to a student in need but under stands if maybe not enough donated and would go to a class fund. Some years it didn't some years it went to the class fund. the only difference my parents did is I liked automatic pencils cause normal hurt my hand cause of pressure, so they wouldn't buy the donated ones the same pencils as me and the teachers all understood and I always got a big 64 pieces crayon and the donated were 30 something or the 24 pack, still more since the paper said 12 (I think) pack of crayons. Every year I would come home with a nice hand written note from my teachers for my parents saying thank you. I felt proud and learned a bigger lesson that way.

irajayrosen25 avatar
Ike Rosen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meet with the principal to complain about the teacher's unreasonable demands on parents

brutusthebear avatar
Brutus the Bear
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its funny that people are against this, but this is exactly how school works. Instead of paying for your own kid, everyone else does.

aj_30 avatar
Aj
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a teacher but this is…just so odd to me. Maybe it’s the fact that I teach high school instead of elementary, but I rarely expect my students to provide their own supplies. I don’t even keep track of what I spend on my classroom anymore, because honestly it just makes my life easier. I also have help from my department and co-workers. This teacher is doing WAY TOO MUCH. I’m pleasantly surprised when families at my school can afford to send their kids with supplies, so I genuinely cannot understand this teacher’s privileged point of view. Most of my interactions with parents are either begging them to make sure their child isn’t skipping school or attempting to justify why I wrote their child up after he/she/they flipped me off and walked out of class. I truly wish that my biggest problem was my student’s having monogrammed supplies.

aj_30 avatar
Aj
Community Member
1 year ago

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aj_30 avatar
Aj
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a high school teacher, so maybe it’s just a difference between primary and secondary but…I could NEVER do something like this. It’s a welcome surprise when parents actually CAN get their teenage students the three things I ask for ( a binder, filler paper, and pencils) and I only ask them to share if I’m totally out of something, the school supply room is out, and I can’t use my conference (or lunch) time to run to Walmart. I don’t even think about the amount of money I spend on my classroom anymore, to be honest. My students know that if they need something, they can come to me for help. That’s honestly the bare minimum of what I do.

katieosborn avatar
Katie Osborn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been teaching for 22 years and never heard of the swapping thing! I have always brought supplies or the school provided for kids. But I have definitely never taken personal supplies brought parents for their kids. Those I consider theirs. If someone brought glue sticks for the class I just give them out out as needed. Strange that I have been teaching this long it’s the first I ever heard of swapping.

atarahderek avatar
Raini Way
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, so all of a sudden, socialism is bad. Funny how that works, isn't it?

bradgraffice avatar
Brad Graffice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never had any of my school supplies taken from me to be redistributed and I don't recall the teachers asking for extra supplies for the other kids. Why is it a parents job to supply materials for all the other students

adamarb89 avatar
Adam Arb89
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get your kid out of that school. They clearly condone and encourage communism.

briank_1 avatar
Brian K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If every student had personalized supplies, where do those supplies get kept? I can see kids fighting and crying over not finding their personalized items. What a headache! As to "i have money so should be able to purchase better things for my kid". Sure. Maybe keep them at home then?

candiceshort87 avatar
Candice Blanton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I home school. No crazy c**p from schools and my kids don't learn things that have nothing to do with education.

ericyoder avatar
Eric Yoder
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This site can delete my messages all they want and I'll keep reposting. It is indeed illegal to steal the supplies. Do these schools not realize that we are their employers? Defund them along with the police. Let conclusion hit them when they no longer receive a paycheck

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Defunding isn’t the answer. And no, we aren’t their bosses. Yes our taxes do go to paying for salaries. The problem is with how those funds are distributed among the school districts, and how the school boards decide to use that money. All districts should be given the basic funding needed to maintain the school buildings, pay all teachers the same salary, and provide school supplies. Anything extra should be raised through fundraising, and be given on a merit-based system. If a school district shows improvement in test scores, more funding for that new gym, or football field. If a teacher is showing they are improving their classes test scores, a bonus is paid. If an administrator shows that a school is well run and exceeds the bare minimum, a bonus is paid. We should be teaching kids that hard work leads to better rewards. None of this false equity or “evening of the playing field.” But we shouldn’t go to extremes to defund all programs.

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Paula Wynn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a retired teacher, and I NEVER did the "classroom community supplies" thing. I had parents who didn't send ANYTHING, yet their kids were wearing $200 shoes and name brand clothing. Why should anyone share THEIR supplies? I used to save lost pencils, notebooks, etc. in a box. If students needed something, they went to the box to get it. I also had a class set of scissors, glue, rulers, crayons, etc. they could borrow. I actually had kids complain because I had liquid glue instead of glue sticks. Our guidance counselor had supplies for those in need, and school supply drives all over our community for those who truly can't afford them. As a parent buying my own kids' supplies, I noticed that there really isn't a huge price difference between Crayola and the cheap brands when they're on sale. I also personalized all of my kids' supplies. My kids didn't wear expensive shoes, but they had the supplies that THEY chose. I can't understand the socialist ideas these teachers practice!

ericyoder avatar
Eric Yoder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't care who says what. This is ILLEGAL. OP's item are OP's items. This is still called theft and for those of you defending the teacher, the teacher is a PUBLIC SERVANT employed by the OP's tax dollars. The students and parents aren't the servants to the teacher. It's about damn time the school faculty does what they're told to do or they too can be defunded

harenterberge avatar
haren ter berge
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad i grew up in the Netherlands where all supplies were provided by the school.

leilaabdelmeguid avatar
Leila Abdelmeguid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a kindergarten teacher. Since my students don't sit at traditional desks with a space to keep belongings (we have more like large round tables where several students sit all together) I do take their supplies and put them all in bins to pass out when needed. However, if a student were to come in with special or personalized items, I will let that student keep it in his/her bag or I make sure that student gets to use his/her own item when they are distributed. I also buy supplies out of pocket for when we run out, which we inevitably always do.

elisehudson avatar
Elise Hudson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't stop laughing about "horror stories".... They're school supplies. You are out of line. This is standard in schools now. It's why they ask for specific supplies. It's the school uniform of supply lists. Just keep the special stuff at home. Set up a special desk for her if you want.

jamesdavis_4 avatar
James Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is not out of line. This is standard in schools now? Since when? Since you lefty commies have infiltrated the education system! GTFOH with your communist share share alike attitude.

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avronovaboy avatar
Channo Sagara
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait so in America it's normal to take away kid's stuff and redistribute them? I thought you guys against communism... Back here in asia schools would just ask money, everyone gets the same crappy crayons.

rasheedashaheen avatar
Rasheeda Shaheen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter school in grade school will ask parents to send in extra supplies for other kids she is now in college. My nieces school just asked parents to donate supplies or money to the class they even do fund raisers. But to take a child stuff off of them is crazy. I brought my daughters stuff had her name on her binder. But her school gave all the kids their own nice school binder with the schools name and mascote on it and a day planner. My child went to a public school. I would buy her her own pencils and crayons etc. All name brand. Heck they got name brand at the dollar tree stores. Wal marts have name brands for $1 or less. I did brought a lot of extra supplies for my daughters class every year once each report period. My daughter would buy class stuff with her allowance. She brought her teacher a big pack of those stick notes pads because other teachers would take her teachers pad. I wrote a note to her teacher she was so overwhelmed. I don't get this teacher c**p

blklthrwhtlc avatar
Mindy Max
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My kids are grown. I've always bought extra supplies for the to take to school for the kids whose parents can't afford the required supplies. My choice! They have absolutely no right to take from your kid though. That's wrong on every level. They have school supply drives here to help with that! Maybe the teacher needs to try something like that.

mapleporkchop avatar
Maple Porkly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly this is now standard where I live. My daughter has panic attacks in new settings so when she started school, I did something similar as this woman. I had my daughter pick out every pencil, book, crayon box. The works. She came home in tears that it was all taken from her and she got none of it back. Other kids picked through it all and she got generic stuff. I was so upset for her. I bought everything again and took the day off writing her name in permanent ink on every page, crayon, etc. Ya I sound crazy but we'll do anything for our kids.

heatherchurch avatar
Heather Church
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, I'm in Quebec, Canada...we have a school list..and heaven forbid we deviate from said list!!!--Im old enough that I remember going to the school for books and crayons and such!!(I also remember vying for the kid who vaccum cleaned the chalk erasers!!)-- let's just say that year over year I am blown away how much it costs to sent my child to school( not including school fees!!).. Hun I feel ya!!!

fbtvlvsme avatar
Lisa Dye
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay so When my kid was in Kindergarten the Teacher requested plain colored folder. Well my kid picked out a Unicorn or something and I was irritated like who cares it’s HER folder… well no. The teacher would just stuff the folders with paper homework notes ect throw them in backpacks at the end of the day and collect them the next day. That why she wanted PLAIN ones that were not personalized or fun. I got over it for a 50 cent folder. I saw first hand how she had a system of collecting them and stuffing them and handing them back out, what a mess it would have been to do each one individually!

donnamok avatar
Donna Cheung
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm supposing the OP is in the US? I don't get the system. Where I'm from, whatever you bought belongs solely to you. For other school supplies, you pay for them (you pay the school) but the school buys them so everybody uses the same thing. For your own items, you buy according to your budget or preferences and unless they go against school rules, you can use whatever.

christinedeangelis-webber avatar
Christine DeAngelis-Webber
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, for all the people saying the teacher should buy it and then sell it to the parents or ask for donations - this is not something you are permitted to do. At.All. If you want to spend your own money and equip your class then great, that's your own money, you can't ask for money from parents. And parents are going to die on THIS hill? Not kids bringing bulletproof backpacks to school? Not no seatbelts on buses? Not short recesses and short lunches? Stuff that impacts the actual health and safety of your child? But school supplies?! And you'll go to the top of the admin pile over this? Insane for the parent and the teacher to even engage. Ridiculous.

kirynsilverwing avatar
Kiryn Silverwing
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter only just started public school last year, and it doesn't work like that at her school. Due to the pandemic, the school has extra budget to give each kid their own very basic pencil case and supplies, so that they're not sharing their germs along with their crayons and scissors. Sometimes the teachers ask for donations of items like dry erase markers, glue sticks, or Lysol wipes. Maybe some parents are buying special supplies for their kids but it's not required.

brianadae04 avatar
Briana Landers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To anyone wondering: Yeah. U.S. thing. The only communities who do t have to do this are the ones who get donations outside of what the students bring. We still have to bring paper and tissues and stuff tho if we don't have to bring that stuff.

rob_eman avatar
Rob Eman
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally like this class/school re-distribution policy! It teaches children starting at an early age that Marxism and Socialism are no good! As society will just take your nice things and redistribute it to others giving you junk in return. (Now just don't get me started on child support inequalities where the courts take from the person who society values more and gives it to the person society values less. For up to 18 years of that! Talk about a race to the bottom where the bigger loser wins. So dumb.... It just results in a weaker, poorer society, with less taxes paid, and other maladies).

hjemmemac avatar
Soon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't everyone just buy the supplies their kid needs? Where I live school and school supplies are free until High school so this is something I'm not familiar with. Don't see a problem with the parents buying what their kids prefer, as long as it's not any 'over the top' supplies.

christina_cleary avatar
Christina Cleary
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know the consensus is that the teacher is crazy, but I think she's right. Poor children know they're poor, they don't need more reminders, and it's not something they have any control over. If you want poor children to not repeat the cycle, you have to build their self worth. I think pooling supplies in that kind of setting is wise. It helps the teachers and can provide a lot of developmental benefits for kids (both rich and poor). If you want to get your kid artisanal school supplies, keep it at home for her to do her homework with. All your accomplishing by pulling a D-bag move like this is teaching your child that empathy is less important than getting what you want. It sends the message that she's better than the other kids even though she did nothing to deserve it. It's also making a huge scene because now little Susie has her own special bag of premium supplies and everyone else shares? Get over yourself. If you want to be stuck up put her in private school.

sleepyone2three avatar
Matthew Fox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The mom mentioned that the little girl is very particular about the type of stationary she uses and it feels presumptuous to assume it's a want vs need type of thing. I grew up with a younger brother on the spectrum who also has a fine motor skills disability and is predominantly left handed. Factors like these and other situations can sometimes lead to kids/people in general having these particularities about them. While this is all speculation on my part, this may be the mom's way of trying to accommodate her child's needs while also offering the requested supplies to other kids who need them. And, honestly, the fact that the mother is asking for advice on this in the first place tells me she's trying to be empathetic to the situation rather than being stuck up about it.

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danieltinelli avatar
Atlasheld
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teacher here. In some schools and districts there is a strong push to avoid any child at all, from feeling 'less' because their parents worked harder or made more money. It goes towards clothing, supplies, you name it. The me too with stuff can get ugly quickly so I think some elementary teachers try to 'redistribute the wealth' as it were. Not a huge fan of this practice.

christinedeangelis-webber avatar
Christine DeAngelis-Webber
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll be the odd one out. We do this at my school because we have classroom materials vs each kid having their own individual supplies. So we collect the supplies but they go into a shared container, not redistributed to other kids to be their own materials. The kids don't have individual pencil boxes. But, we are also clear on the supply list that the materials are shared with the class. So, there are containers of crayons, colored pencils and pencils. We don't ask for paper or anything like that. We ask for boxes of tissues, which are put around the class, each kid doesn't use their own box of tissue. Hand sanitizer. Paper towels. And if you can't, that's ok. I will buy whatever the child needs including backpacks, headphones, lunchboxes...it's the way our rooms are set up. And if a kid brings in something fancy, they can choose to share it with the class or take it home to use at home.

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s how it should be. Keep the premium stuff at home. But the school needs to be supplying kids with the basic supplies to learn. We need to push our government to distribute schools funds for this purpose. Not to build new buildings when not necessary, or to pay a superintendent more salary.

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b_k_ avatar
B. K.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the theme of the classroom is" share everything" and please don't buy personalized items, then the teacher should be clear about it. I think it's a good idea!

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Send the personalized stuff back home. We don’t have this at our work offices do we? We get standard issued equipment that belongs to the company. School should have standard issue pencils, crayons, etc. The federal government should just have a standard issue of supplies that are distributed to all the school districts. Basics only. Anything else. Keep at home. Use on your own time.

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colintimp avatar
Colin Timp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reason for this is so that the kids don't know who the poor kids are. Like one of the commenters said, he always got the dollar store crayons while other kids had Crayola. The way the teacher is doing it keeps the kids from knowing who has what. It eliminates jealousy and self-esteem issues. However I think that kids just have to get used to this; as it doesn't get any better as you get older. They're not going to be doing this with clothes and cars in high school!

miz_jen_lee avatar
Jennifer Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

B******t. This is a feel-good grandstanding moment for the teacher, at the expense of the students who will have their carefully-selected binders taken away and replaced with c**p. It's horribly unfair to the KIDS. If fairness were truly the goal, the teacher would demand that donated items were of equal quality as the children's own items, and parents could prove this by including receipts.

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ottomaniac avatar
Ottoman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Selfish jerk is raising a spoiled brat. "My BABY can't write on the wrong PAPER! What if THE POORS use HER PAPER?" Teacher should just tell everyone that Mia has decided she's so special she won't share. Let it play out that way.

andrewizak33 avatar
Kacey Tucker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Supplies were provided by the parent for the class. Did you even read what was posted? Just because a parent buys something JUST for their kid doesn't mean squat. The teacher is the one acting entitled (and so are you). Please, don't procreate if you're going to have the entitled attitude you display here. Really, it's for the best. I'd hate for my child to someday have to deal with you and your spawn.

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kpalp232 avatar
BlahBlahBlackSheepah
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teacher s jobs are hard enough. She didn't want to deal with this social economic drama. Maybe she just wanted to teach a class without even more disruption than is usual in school. 9yo has a paper preference.?! Gtfo. Look at the school s budget first before crying about having to spend $20 on top shelf supplies for a kid at an underfunded school. If precious must have Crayola The mom s bougie rear could have bought 2 packs and gave her kid one for the 2nd day. Kids don't choose Poverty. Wealth is represented in all aspects of school and ma just couldnt stand the thought of someone unfortunate having crayons, or whatever supplies are creasing her, that she purchased for a swap she knew was coming. Bought some extra 50 cent folders. like a Saint.

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J Hunter
Community Member
1 year ago

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Something to think about. A family can end up spending $100 or more on school supplies. It can be a burden for families of all sizes. If they have a middle schooler they may also need to buy a calculator. Specific calculators for high school classes can cost $100 alone. Lots of times teachers are paying for extra supplies. Some commenters are saying that the less well off kids shouldn't get used to hand outs. Perhaps the kid with the special stationary needs to get used to not using her special stationary. This poster seems entitled and completely lacking in empathy.

miz_jen_lee avatar
Jennifer Lee
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone will STILL know who the poor kids are, only now the poor kids will be hated when they are seen carrying the expensive binders that the middle-income kids picked out. This is not going to create an atmosphere of equality. If you want kids to resent each other, this is definitely going to do that.

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Seana Camping
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1 year ago

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I have a child in elementary school, USA, age 8. We are given a specific list, including brand names, of items to buy. The teacher has these items in the class; the kids don't keep them in their desks, beyond the brand name pencils they all have. When it's time to use the construction paper, the teacher handles distribution. When it's time to water color paint, the teacher hands out supplies. I want to know how old this kid is. Is the child old enough to keep her "special" stuff in her backpack when it's not needed? Is the kid taunting other kids? Maybe the teacher wants everything uniform because it's the teacher's classroom and the teacher is in charge? I vote AH for trying to go against the flow for no good reason. Teacher needs a brand specific list. Then everyone gets the same high quality.

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Wondering Alice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Read it again - the kid is 9, no specific brand was suggested. The stationary was being redistributed. If the teacher wants everything uniform but lacks the budget, ask for a donation and buy same for everyone. Plenty of 9 year olds enjoy special stationery, plenty of 14 year olds can't look after a pen for a whole day. In the circumstance described, a child could arrive with high quality, but get it swapped for the lowest quality - I imagine that makes the poorest children stand out even more and get resented through no fault of their own.

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shannonsmith_2 avatar
Inclusion2020
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a teacher. This lady is absurd. The school has a supply room with pencils, notebooks etc. That parent bought those materials with her money for her daughter. And now the teacher is requesting a conference? My advice to this mom would be to have a third party present at the meeting and to escalate to the principal. This teacher sounds weird, she might treat the daughter poorly moving forward. Documentation and accountability needs to be established. Sad to say. But it happens.

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BlackestDawn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My understanding is that not all schools in the USA have (give?) that kind of budget for supplies.

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find the idea of a mandatory list already insane, but to redistribute stuff to other kids? No. Back in school I was the one with the cheapest stuff, but I still wouldn't have wanted someone else's stuff. This was mine. I picked it with my mom and I liked how it looked. It meant something to me.

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Curious
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not normal. I'm a teacher, and supplies bought go to that child. We label everything with names the first day of school. I am either provided extras by the school, or more typically, I buy them myself. The extras go to the students who don't bring any supplies.

wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. We were encouraged to label stationary so that if it was lost it could easily be returned to the right kiddo too.

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Nunya Bus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See this is the problem with people not understanding the difference between equality and equity. Equality is everyone gets the EXACT same things regardless of size, color, comfort, price etc. And that doesn't always work to everyone's advantage. Equity is when everyone gets what they need to be on equal footing to be successful. If everyone has crayons, pencils, paper, binders, notebooks, then Susie Q having personalized ones doesn't give her an advantage over anyone else if they all have those things albeit not personalized. The focus should be on everyone having what they need to succeed. If extra supplies are bought then that means everyone gets pencils in case some kids came without them. That puts people on more level footing. And the left handed supplies is the very definition of equity. Equality is everyone has scissors but it doesn't do much good if they're hard to use for some. So some get special scissors which puts them on par with regular scissor users.

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Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you're expected to provide for kids who aren't yours? This is literally what taxes are for. Increase the school budget. I imagine you can find quite a lot of extra money if you stop overpaying your administrative staff.

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Patrick Linnen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And people complain that they should not need to pay taxes going to schools because they don't have children (either never had or the kids are in another district), or that their kids are being schooled at home or private/charter schools, or that their taxes should go to vouchers and all the problem kids go to other schools. To bad, so sad if your school (usu. inner-district or other lower income areas) is short changed by this. You should have thought ahead and been born with more money.

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Trillian
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, is that normal? I mean, my friend's son is left-handed so she buys special crayons and scissors and stuff. I buy the ergonomic kind of pencils (my daughter ist first grade and just learning to write). No way would I want this taken away, I mean, I paid for it? But then, we are asked to label every little thing.

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Jimmy Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know there's left handed scissors because my daughter is left handed didn't know there was crayons and pencils to maybe because I'm from a small town I know she's 18 now and out of school but she might like to know where to get stuff like that

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Miss Kat O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand... I've not been at school for a long time... but I'm pretty sure I always had a pencil case with my own things in... if there was something I didn't have cuz I'd lost it broke it or chewed it the teacher would lend it me and I would return it at the end of class

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AngelWingsYT
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You did. Ik i did. Heck i had that for YEARS after school (they are hella useful!) Think they (school) like us having our own cause 1. The back up supplies lasted longer and 2. Great way n fun way to teach writing your name

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Lara Verne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the first time I heard about this. How does it work? Teacher take supplies from kids and redistribute them as they see fit? Or they just want to make kids share all supplies? Is that some new trend I missed?

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AngelWingsYT
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dont think so sounds like bad teaching. N sounds like its let the kids pick one by one which items they want. Or hands them out randomly to the kids.

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Glass Ghost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm confused..? Back when I was in school. Everybody personally had to have their own stuff. Nothing was distributed or switched up. Is this a newer thing? It just sounds annoying and problematic. Plus the school should supply things if they plan to distribute personally bought items.

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Mr. J (LSama)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public school funding had steadily gotten worse since I went to school; I graduated in '99. Now that everyone needs a laptop and most schools have to buy newest addition books, there's little left for the necessities students need, then you have poor and/or negligent parents who can't buy those necessities. Teachers, overworked and underpaid, usually have to dig into their own pockets for this stuff. So I guess either the school or the teachers themselves asked parents to chip in extra.

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Bobby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no problem with asking parents to contribute to a communal supply source. I have issue that my kids school had "twistable colored pencils - Crayola brand only" like those are crazy expensive for a kindergarten class. $6 for a small pack? Sorry teach you're getting rose art crayons. 5 and 6 year old will destroy those pencils in the first week

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Eric Yoder
Community Member
1 year ago

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The Mom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just don't understand. When I (55) was in school my parents always supplied everything that I needed. Notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, etc. Never did I have a teacher try to redistribute my belongings. I think this is my generation making up all of these absurd rules and it makes no sense to me. I do understand some kids may have parents that can't afford or won't buy supplies who will need assistance which should be given. For the short time my kids were in public school I purchased their supplies plus a few extra for the classroom.

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OmBoyGanesh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m your age and agree with you. The problem is that now 50% or more of classes have parents who can’t afford or simply don’t supply their children and there’s a greater disparity in how schools can allocate their budget. My kid goes to a STEM K-12 in what could only be called an “affluent” neighborhood, but most of the kids are bussed in. One, because it’s a STEM magnate. Two, because they’re trying to create diversity. Three, because the vast majority of kids on this schools’ area go to private or charter schools. While the 20% of neighborhood kids’ parents can easily afford supplies, the remaining 80% have parents who either can’t afford them or simply won’t afford them. We just sent him with five sets of extra supplies. If the other parents on our neighborhood did the same, that hopefully covers all the kids in his class. That the school rents out the facilities & the field/playground on weekends & when schools out in order to raise money speaks volumes on the education budget.

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Paulina
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, European here - I don't understand ANY of this 😶 You're telling me that in US you're expected to put all of the things your kid might use during the year into some sort of common pile? Why??? And how would that work with things like binders? Aren't kids allowed to have their own possessions for some reason? If my kid likes ponies and I buy them a pen with ponies on them, teacher would take it away??! So many questions

adamarb89 avatar
Adam Arb89
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're in the middle of a post modern communist "revolution". The weirdos want to soften your children to the abhorrent ways of thinking. So they start with books like Rainbow Fish and redistributing school supplies.

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Elin Noller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy s**t...united states of america, one of the riches countries in the entire world, don't give schools enough money to pay for "school supplies"? It is literally in the f*****g name. Here in sweden we would buy our own backpacks, pencil cases and some personal stuff, but everything else was supplied by the school.

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erine avatar
Erin E
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hated this too. When we were able to, and during the school supply sales, I would buy extra notebook paper, glue sticks, crayons, map colors, and other items that would fit in my budget. At first I put baskets together and gave it all at the beginning of the year. However, my personal experience led me to divvy it up throughout the year. When they sent the first note home I would send some extra, same the next semester. Not all teachers took advantage. But it only takes one. (Extra - I would ask how many kids were in the class as of that time and buy enough **when I could**)

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Dippin Dot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my son was in primary school they took all the supplies and dumped them into communal bins. I hated it because my son takes care of his supplies whereas some kids would break pencils and crayons and just go and grab another to ruin. It teaches absolutely zero responsibility for keeping things nice and perpetuates the thought that everything is replaceable and free. I’m fine with supplying extra or donating money so the teacher can buy for those who can’t afford it, but each child should have their own so it teaches responsibility.

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Biliegh Berrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Donation or the parents get together for bake sales or what not. That would have been great. We were blind sided and it just angered me. We were not told, asked, nothing.

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Barbara Cochrane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! Glad I finished school back in the dinosaur days. Our school supplied what supplies we needed except our pencils, pens, rulers, notebooks & notebook paper. They gave us our books for the year and if we needed construction paper or other art supplies it came from the school. If there were kids who didn't have an item, the school supplied them. Our school wasn't in a wealthy area but most families managed to give their children the basics for school. We were not expected to give our supplies to the school or to other kids. Maybe because it was a Catholic school in the inner city and our tuition covered the crayons, etc.

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Heather Umpherville
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like communistic behaviour to me. You bought the stuff it's your daughter's to keep. Rich n poor has been around since time began. Deal with it. Ps. I was in the poor category growing up. Made me work harder to get what I want and I so appreciate it

miz_jen_lee avatar
Jennifer Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. We didn't have much money, but my mom always let us pick out the binder that we wanted, even if it was one of the special pricier ones. It would have been devastating to have it taken away and given to another kid.

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Biliegh Berrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my son started school we bought the "list" and was told to add it to the (pile) on the tables. That was the last time we bought supplies from the list. Teachers expect you to buy for the entire year for the class. When did that become normal? When did schools stop supplying cleaning supplies and why do the parents have to make up for it? I grew up sent to school with no supplies so I can understand part of this. But we absolutely refused to buy supplies after that. I told my ex eff that don't ever do that again. He bought supplies and kept them in the closet.

phil84vaive avatar
Phil Vaive
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buying classroom supplies has become pretty normal as education budgets get cut time and time again. Teachers are also frequently purchasing supplies for their classes out of pocket. The idea of purchasing extra supplies for redistribution was meant to help lower income families who are no longer being given what they need in the schools, but cannot afford to buy them for themselves either. However, just taking ALL the supplies a kid brings and mixing it and "redistributing" it is completely weird. That would be like if a food bank came to everyone's houses and raided their pantries.

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Wysteria_Rose
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. I have never heard of this kind of thing...I'd be pissed if my kid's school supplies were passed to some other child. I understand the buying extra but why can't the kids get to have their own picked out supplies? That's what I loved about back to school shopping, picking out certain designed things for different subjects.

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Hoshi Reed
Community Member
1 year ago

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I get why kids having their own stuff can be a problem. It is not about qty, it is about quality. A difference in quality creates disparity. If the kids relying on the communal pile are using dollar items and others are allowed to use their crayola/Faber-Castell/Caren d'Ache this affects self esteem. Causes bullying and can even lead to suicide. But then again, I went to school where, though shoes were required, no student was allowed to go in Nike shoes as they could get killed. Disparity in the supplies is a concern, not the quantity of the supplies themselves

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shayda avatar
Shayda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I slapped my kids name of EVERYTHING. It'd didn't occur to me not to do that since my mom did it for me and my siblings. Her teacher never said anything about it

nikkisonney avatar
Nikki Sonney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't matter. I do the same with my kids. They still take them. At the end of the year, we ended up with a bag full of random broken c**p with other people's names on it. Year after year. It doesn't mean anything anymore.

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Kat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me this is very weird .... My kids don't have to bring anything. School provides the basics and all parents volunteer to pool some money (anonymously) that can be used by teachers to buy the extra stuff they want to use in class...

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Wondering Alice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't believe it is normal practice to redistribute items. Standard practice is surely to have a box of generic supplies for kids who have either forgotten or don't have they type of parents who get them things. Best practice is for school to supply a list but include option to purchase a made up pack from school. This has the advantage for the parent as it is easy to be sure nothing has been missed and is usually a little cheaper because of bulk buy and school discounts. It's often not much cheaper, as everyone knows some parents simply can't or won't get anything and those kids can be given a supply pack too. Kids who love stationery often prefer to get there own.

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Lady of the Mountains
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have experience with this. Growing up, we got lists with our stuff and this stuff was for us, there wasnt any of this supply sharing pots going on. But along with the rest of the stuff, we had to get a bunch of extra gluesticks, crayons, etc, and tissues, sanitizer, wipes and things. We took like one box of crayons or whatever for use, and the other boxes were put in a backup supply for anyone who needed. The tissues and stuff were immeditaly taken by teacher for class use. Someone took the school board to court over this. Saying that our state promises a free education until 12th grade, and so we shouldnt have to fund the classroom. Those extra things on the list stopped after that

delphinum4 avatar
Zophra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't see how this is even legal. This is one weird fringe teacher I think. I hope.

mikekozubski_1 avatar
DaFetus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not school supplies but lunches. When I was younger, my father was useless and left my mom, he came from a good family lot of money, yet never helped us. My mom did what she could to ensure I never knew we were poor. Yet I was and I went to school in a poor area. I remember when I first started, they would go around asking if kids had a lunch.if they didn't something would be done...that something. Well my mom like I said when out of her way to ensure I never knew we were poor...No I had amazing lunches...lunches my teacher would later sY to the principal were to good for a child and better even then what she had. Well we were a week in to my lunches being stolen from me by the teacher because "I obviously ate good enough at home".when we were on a field trip and another teacher did the same thing to me... She said I guess you didn't bring a lunch either, I told Indid and showed her the lunch my mom made, which she snitch up, gVe me her sandwich and ate my lunch herself.

mikekozubski_1 avatar
DaFetus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went home and told my mom I was hungry and she asked why and that's when I told her what was happening. We went to the school the next day, and my teacher defended what she and the other did, saying kids don't need such fancy lunches. My lunch, 2 sandwiched with lettuce, tomatoes, 2 types of meat and cheese. I would not call that fancy , never seen that school again after my mom went nuclear.

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Craig Reynolds
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's theft. The conference would begin with me telling the teacher she is stealing my kid's personal supplies and it is to stop immediately or I file a theft complaint with the school board and police if it continues.

heather_talma avatar
Heather Talma
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The f**k kind of school even does/allows this??? Only thing we were supposed to buy that went to the entire class was boxes of tissues. (Come to think of it, why did we have to do that?)

stefaniepatterson avatar
BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same and we shouldn't have had to. Blame the local politics not finding education properly

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Anna Simpson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In our country the list the teachers send home is brand specific (mid-range price and fit for purpose) and the local stores make stationary packs that are all the same. You name all the books but the pens, pencils, markers etc are all shared supplies. No one misses out on their education due do not having a pencil and there is fairness and there is a feeling of collaboration. Everyone contributes. If a family cant afford the supplies and they let the school know, another family or the school can anonymously sponsor them. If you want named supplies in a pencil case you're welcome to have them.

hoshireed avatar
Hoshi Reed
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Brazil, but grew up in the US. In Brazil the kids wear uniforms even in public schools for much the same reason as the supplies that are to be within the same range - though you can personalize them you can not have the highest quality either. Disparity can lead to low self-esteem. Growing up in the US, though there was no uniform, we were not allowed to wear nikes as they were high end and some kids were killed for them.

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startup3 avatar
Mary Ford
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stand your ground and go into this meeting with the principal and ask if they don't mind being recorded. If it's a problem go to the board and think of removing your child to another class. I've never heard of this in any school district.

michaelmcginniss avatar
Michael McGinniss
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a middle school teacher, I am with the mom. She bought everything on the list for the class.TEACHER READ THIS YOU RECEIVED EVERYTHING YOU ASKED FOR! THE extra is NOT for you it belongs to the student, yes she has her name on it, that is so you and fellow students know they are hers.

asherikamichaela avatar
AshErika Michaela
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. OP bought both general stuff for the class, knowing it would be handed out, in addition to buying her daughter her own things. Since she can apparently afford to do so, why not let her? The other kids are still getting their supplies regardless.

lenaz_1 avatar
Lena Z
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the teacher wants every kid to have the same stuff so badly, wouldn't it be way more practical to have the teacher order in bulk and have the parents just give them the money? (Could even be cheaper with bulk prices, but would also mean more work for the teacher of course) When I went to school, no teacher even considered collecting and redistributing all the things, they only gave stuff from the school stack to the kids who didn't have or forgot their own...

hoshireed avatar
Hoshi Reed
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This solves everything. All these comments seem to be about quantity and don't see the quality/value disparity. Everyone needs pants but don't discuss the disparity between the student with designer jeans and the kid with the cheap brand. This can cause self esteem issues and a bulk buy can nip this problem in the bud

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Invisible Potato
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

next time the teacher will redestribute marks? like, shw was A, and he was F, and now everyone have C, even those who did well, why should they bother doing great if it doesnt matter? its a same thing.

britishcanadian avatar
British Canadian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their first introduction to Socialism by the comrade teacher for wealth distribution

sharreldinebowers avatar
Sharreldine Bowers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg, thank you! I am so surprised that more people don't recognize this for what it is, socialism and communism. I would totally go old-school 1950s and call that teacher a Commie.

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Got Myself 4 Pandas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What in the blinkin heck is going on in these schools? I get some places schools may struggle with a budget and ask for donations to help out - my kids nursery asked for cleaning supplies/wipes/specific food items for class snacks etc but it was entirely voluntary - I buy my kids their new pencil case with pencils, coloured pencils etc but to be honest they rarely even use them as they get given supplies from the school that are kept in their own personal drawers that they use more often - the idea of the teacher taking what I bought specifically for my own child and handing it to another child would really p**s me off - I wouldn't object to buying extra for classroom purposes but I'm not having my kids property taken off them. I've often got them personalised items just to make them less likely to get mixed up, my son came home with the wrong coat the other day, didn't even look like his, the school year only started last week

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Boerenhond
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Obey the teacher and then take her couch if she has a nicer one than you or her car.

jonasthetrex avatar
The Red Panda (she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds ridiculous and like a good way to encourage everyone having crappy supplies, as it is always better in the situation to buy the cheapest supplies available. What idiot decided this was a good idea, let alone so important that no supplies can be labeled?

othornhill6792 avatar
Bisces
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nononono. 1. Op bought the supplies for Mia, not Sally, Bobby or Timmy 2. The teacher really wanna do this with monkeypox going around?

codyhill avatar
Cody Hill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a Democratic ran society this is definitely a new norm considering it sounds like redistribution of supplies and a low ball start of communism that the Democrats seem to love. It's off and it seems like no one here had to deal with it when they were in school.

hornedape avatar
Yargarble
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public education in the US is one of the most corrupt entities we have. The amount of funds that go into the pockets of the execs at the top is obscene yet no one says much because they have the easy angle of shaming anyone who would dare be "against (free) education". However, like so many other issues in this country, nothing will change as long as 51% of the population agrees to disagree with the other 49% over petty bulls*×t. Don't bother coming at me with excuses about it being the other sides fault. Democrats, Republicans, you're both the problem. Bipartisan politics are decisive by nature. Divided we fall.

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Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Districts should be given basic funding to operate, provide school supplies, keep the school maintained. Additional spending for discretionary spending on a new football field, or whatever else not necessary for basic education should be earned on a merit-based system. Schools that can demonstrate year of year improvement of test scores would be awarded a new football field, and extra money for extra spending and the like. This would encourage hard work. Salaries should be even across all districts. All teachers should be paid the same. Top performers are awarded bonuses. Other salary increases should be based on inflation to keep up with cost of living, no more, no less.

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sunrizez avatar
Strawblurries
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This encourages some parents to skip school shopping knowing their kids will be given supplies from the redistribution programs and giveaways. Why buy what you correctly assume you'll get for free.

otisfrimp avatar
Otis Frimp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly the same applies to food. While some parents truly cannot afford to feed their children, when you feed them in school for free it trained parents that they do not have to and now we find kids going hungry over the summer because their parents have gotten unused to the job of feeding them and sadly making the sacrifices that are needed to feed them even with WIC and EBT.

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hellbilliehippie avatar
Purple Daydream
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I labeled all my childrens supplies with a label maker so the sticker is hard to take off . One my kids was using 8 broken crayons after I bought 10 at beginning of year so no more sharing.

meredithlphelps avatar
Meredith Phelps
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. I hate this. I buy nice stuff for MY KID. I also buy plenty of extras. Kleenex, expo markers and coffee pods are on Amazon subscription and show up to the school anonymously, to be distributed to any/every teacher as the office sees fit. My kid’s teacher gets 250 sharpened Ticonderoga pencils in Aug and Jan. I give plenty, and so you can keep your paws off my kid’s stuff.

valica810 avatar
Valerie Mace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its funny the States keep saying part of lottery goes to schools . Well what are the schools doing with it?

missmelissacooper avatar
Missy Cooper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. I went to the smallest and poorest school in my area, and they always provided for us. In early elementary school, they requested that our parents buy their own kids certain items (pencils, paper, a composition book, backpack), but when we got to school the first day, we had boxes that were out together for us (our names and teachers listed on the boxes) with crayons, glue, rulers, colored pencils and scissors. In later elementary school, they would have us come by the school about a week before it started, and they had clothes, backpacks, pencil boxes, and all the school supplies we would need, and they had something for every student. I'm sorry, but it's expensive enough on the parents to buy for their own kids, without having to buy for everyone else's. And I was one of the poorest kids in my school. I'm sorry, but I think that parents should only have to buy for their own kids. This year, my sister had to buy school supplies for 3 kids and 3 different classes. It's not right.

aprilkruse avatar
April Kruse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My granddaughters were devastated that they had to share the supplies they got for school! I couldn't buy them what they wanted because I knew they would have to give them up. It is out of control, this whole generation plus of people expecting to always have everyone treated and getting the same! The real world doesn't comply, everyone needs to learn that! Yes, it sucks to be the kid whose parents couldn't get what they need. The idea of a FREE and APROPRIATE education doesn't exist! I spend so much every year it's unbelievable! Not being cold, but not my granddaughters problem! If we made education funding more of a priority and cut out the political funding, just imagine where we could be!!! That's only one area, there are many more that could be adjusted to allow for better education and ultimately a better country

thegirlinsideherhead avatar
An Unpopular Opinion.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell is going on in public schools?? That's stealing, that's what that's called

leas_ avatar
Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a lot to unpack here. This is definitely frustrating as a parent. It's common to get kids excited for school by letting them choose their favorite pattern, color, theme etc. for their supplies. Taking that away is taking away one of the positives. I think it would also make it harder if kids are using a certain theme/color to recognize their things and stay visually focused. Mixing it all up (in my head, I have an NVLD) would be like trying to play cards with a card from each from 52 decks. I'm not sure if the teacher is trying to achieve something specific - or just flexing that she's the damn boss and will have it the way she likes. All that said - the fact that you got her the extra supplies she wanted and contributed to the classroom supply should make all of this moot. The problem may also have something to do with bullying/teasing in the classroom. I know it sounds snowflake-y to a lot of parents but hey - kids constantly heckling and bickering makes the enjoyable act of

leas_ avatar
Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

teaching feel like torture. It slows you down, it f*****g burns you out, you lose your train of thought and start repeating yourself again and again. IF that is the case - the focus should be on teaching your kids to be good people. I say keep doing what you're doing as far as nice supplies for her, and more generic ones for the classroom supply bank. Keep in mind that having your child's name on things can be an unsafe tactic.

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wehf100 avatar
Wilf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or you could live in a civilised country where the school provides everything you need to study.

tarsa13 avatar
CL Rowan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should we have made that decision before we were born, as the jerk further up the line proclaimed?

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kmchafin avatar
Kathleen Chafin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I pay a boat load of property tax of which 60% goes to local school and I have no kids. For the love of God, just supply pencils, crayons, paper, binders etc by the school and take it out of my taxes. Stop this nonsense

ranger9 avatar
Cory Wilson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. This is nothing more than the schools attempt at indoctrinating children into thier little Socialist Utopia. It isn't a parent's problem if another parent is less successful in life. And I don't mind helping out other little rug rats. As long as it is voluntary.

ryanwhite avatar
Ryan White
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand not all people have the resources and school supplies/cloths can be hard for many families. Its a great idea to have parenta bring extra when they can afford to but it shouldnt be a requirement and they should absolutley not be allowed to take kids supplies from them. Its wrong. It sends à bad message. Sharing is great but if you work hard and are able to have nicer things then good for you. Taking that away tells kids that they dont have to qork hard, that they are allowed to take what someone has simply because they cant afford it. Life isnt fair and thats ok. We need to teach our kids that. Teach them to work hard and make good choices. Call me a ah but thats reality. And that builds GOOD characterwich this country is desperatly loosing year after year.

heathermatlock avatar
Heather Matlock
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a teacher in a poor district. While we shouldn't have to foot the bill for children that don't have school supplies, other families shouldn't have to either. This teacher should've asked for what was needed and asked for donations for needy students.

magentamanganit avatar
MagNat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. If your kid wants to share with her classmates, she will. The teacher is an a*****e for trying to force this.

beccadiy2-0 avatar
Becca estrada
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in kindergarten, my parents and I were poor, we managed to buy school supplies, little did I know that my hand chosen pink puppy folders would be taken from me and given to other girls while I was left with plain ripped yellow folders, I cried my eyes out and was ignored by my teacher and comforted by a teachers aid, it was the first time I ever chose something by hand and it was taken away from me. I started writing my name in sharpie on my supplies ever since, teachers please don’t do this anymore

brittanyfreitag avatar
Brittany Freitag
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This lady had the right idea. Ill be getting custom for my kids and bringing the extra for the class. Who is this teacher to tell this Mom what she can do for her kid. They did redistribution of glue sticks and little things in my day but not the big stuff. That was the fun part of back to school being able to pick our supplies I guess they want to ruin that.

jessicaotto_1 avatar
Momma Jess
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no...no no no...if you take my child's things we WILL have a problem. My child would immediately be moved to a different teacher. This is just ridiculous, lol, come on! My mother would find and get me personalized notepads and stationary AS AN ADULT...what is the issue here aside from the teacher?

melissaeunson avatar
DublinGirl
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember my dad putting my name on my school supplies when I was in primary school (Irish equivalent of elementary). I think it also teaches kids to take care of their belongings, be responsible and happy 😁

rickicker avatar
Ricky Namara
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a teacher, and I say this with all due respect: that is some b******t. I have never heard of this kind of rule in the school I worked in, and any lack in supplies that students experienced should be compensated by the school, not the teacher or other parents. It's not a parent's job to make sure that all the kids in the classroom are cared for, it's the school's job to do that! And if they can't do it, well guess what? Maybe you have no business opening up a school!

nathan2223 avatar
Niko Nathan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any teacher doing this or believes this is good needs to be fired. It is theft plain and simple.

terryarbgast avatar
Terry Arbgast
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sky high property taxes that fund schools. All kinds of other taxes. And kids have to bring pencils. This is a quote from every state that has a lottery. (Vote to let the lottery in our state, it will slove the school budget problems) Liars, most of the lottery school funds go into a general fund. Ridiculous

sabinamcdaniel avatar
Sabina McDaniel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am aware of teachers buying items for classroom use, and of parents buying community items. It grinds my gears when I see schools making expensive renovations to their architecture or stadiums when parents and teachers are giving out of their own pockets to provide basic supplies. Ick. Horrible behavior.

derekpierrot avatar
derek pierrot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I went to elementary school (which was 25 years ago), nobody redistributed any thing. What you brought was what you got. I was poor.

michaelkridler avatar
Michael Kridler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does the question say Facebook is divided when it's completely obvious by these comments that nobody is divided and it would appear that their is no confusion on whom the ah may be?

april_caron avatar
April Caron
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a teacher and I’m going to explain why I opt for “community supplies.” It’s not an issue of expecting parents to provide supplies for kids who don’t bring them…or even to provide expensive supplies, while some parents buy generic items. It’s about equalizing things (to avoid conflict) and teaching children to share, which is not an innate skill. As for items that are different/customized…they cause conflict. Kids “show off” these items, making other kids feel bad. They usually don’t mean to…they’re just proud of their stuff. If a child touches an item that doesn’t belong to them, it can cause an argument/fight. Things end up stolen, go missing, or get traded. I need to TEACH your children…and NOT spend time meditating conflict or managing supplies. (See Part 2…)

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see your point about having things be common and equal. But don’t redistribute the pony binders. Send it back with the kid to take back home to use at home. And explain to the parents that common supplies, with no customization should be brought to be shared as a community at school. Or buy in bulk, and ask the parents to put money towards that instead. And explain why. It isn’t right, or a teacher’s job to take personal items and redistribute. That’s theft. Send it back home with the kid. Tell them it should stay home to avoid conflict. Or if kids want to personalize. Have a fundraiser to buy extra discretionary items for the class, like stickers, so that everyone can personalize their standard blue, white, black, red, or whatever folders.

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carrie_7 avatar
Carrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before meeting with the teacher I would ask the principal to join in the meeting just because.

dolphinsandmermaids avatar
JustTryingToGetBy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a teacher for 11 years. There are some supplies that are purchased for the classroom on the supply lists like cleaning wipes, dry erase markers, Kleenex, etc. I feel like the school district should provide those classroom items, but they don't. I am 100% against the idea of teacher's combining the personal school supplies that their parents purchased for them into a community pile. Kids like their special notebooks, pens, etc. that are in their favorite colors and characters. It's not up to individual parents to supply school supplies for other people's children. I do not agree with what this teacher is doing at all! I think the mom should approach the meeting with the teacher (which is ABSURD that the teacher is calling a meeting) with the attitude that it is her money and that she purchased everything on the list for her child and the extra items are the only items for the entire class. I hope that this teacher is not singling out this child but I have a feeling the teacher is

davidbrown_12 avatar
David Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in elementary school this wasn't a thing. We got the normal list of things needed for that year and went out and bought what was on that list. There was no redistributing of anything when we finally got to school. I can see where there would be a need for kids that their parents couldn't afford the stuff or just refused to buy every single thing on the list. I know things have changed since the early 90's but school supplies for elementary school kids can still be bought on the cheap. Crayons, pencils, paper and the like are still cheap. Backpacks and clothes are a different beast when it comes to affordability but again can still be bought cheap if you know where to go. The school system shouldn't expect parents to go out and buy for their kids just to have it all go into a pot and their own child end up with crappy stuff they didn't buy in the first place. It's nonsense that this teacher is blowing this out of proportion. I would ignore her completely.

ajones_1 avatar
A Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This doesn't seem normal tbh. It has been years since I was a kiddo in classrooms, but our teachers never had to take things from the students for sharing or redistribution. The schools I've been too never resorted to this. There was even a supply program too for those who didn't have enough. Do the parents/children receive any consent when items are taken from them? If not, that's going to drive a lot of distrust between families and the academies.

hlmorgan avatar
Big Chungus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if this is in certain places because when I was in school (I went to a couple different ones growing up because of moving to different states) this never happened. You brought in what you got and that is what you used.

sonnykohler avatar
Sonny Kohler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this standard practice nowadays? I know I'm old having gone to school in the 70's and 80's, but I don't remember this ever having been an issue back then. Of course we also weren't using crayons, but, still... On another note - when I was in high-school, I can remember helping to restock the supply cabinets that the school used (paper, pencils, pens, etc...) and we even had a school store where you could buy your own personalized stuff with the school logo on it. Was I living in another world?

savannahyoung avatar
S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in school we used what we brought. There was no community pile of supplies that everyone had to give to and take from. This is so weird. Use what you bring?

brendaspagnola avatar
Brenda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always bought extra for the class. But I went so far as to label each crayon, pencils, everything.

rubyserene avatar
Ruby Serene
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a common practice for schools, and especially for charter or private schools to ask for extra supplies to keep in the classroom due to lower budgets. Another reason you might see is extras for low income students whose stuff breaks in the school year. Since the supplies aren't on sale anymore, it's even harder to afford. I don't really mind the idea of being asked to donate classroom supplies. However students are usually able to keep their own notebooks/binders. A lot of kids get things with characters/animals they like or even picked out themselves, so it's quite cruel to mess with that. This teacher definitely took things way too far.

bradlee avatar
Brad Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked as a Aide for years up to 2021, they gather ALL supplies in bins where I worked and redistribute. Kids and parents were not happy. It seems to be the current normal. The list however, did give very specific details, like plain notebooks, each color of folders etc.. No Labels or personalized.

kirara2516 avatar
kirara2516
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So is a girl buys a notebook with a unicorn because she loves unicorns and the teacher makes her give it up and she gets back a plain notebook, thats okay? What? That's wrong and leaves a bad impression of school. Kids should want to learn and have fun. Not look every day at the one who took their things and have bad feelings. I'm so glad my supplies stayed mine in my school years.

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amzhang avatar
Down With Agent Hedgehog!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happens at my school every single year. And I’m in high school. I brought nice school supplies with my own money, and then BAM teacher announced we are exchanging them. My mortal enemy got to choose first, and guess what she picked? My good school supplies. And I was stuck with broken ones.

nikkisonney avatar
Nikki Sonney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to my kids all through school. I would buy them supplies. At the end of the year, we'd get a bag sent back with random supplies in them. A handful of broken crayons, a couple pairs of scissors with someone else's name on them. Random leftover c**p. Definitely not what I expected them to be sent home with on the last day, but it's the last day. What are you going to do. When it happened again the next year, and the next, I just gave up. I have no idea what is happening in our schools, but I promise you're not the only one it's happening too. Just buy the cheap stuff and move on. Even labeling doesn't keep it from being taken away and shared.

candacemelton avatar
Candace Melton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the end of the day it dosent matter. Its her child and her money. It's a lot more importany problems in the school's.

killua_84 avatar
Lunar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh? Is that a common thing, to pool the kids' tools and redistribute them? I am so glad my school didn't have such culture. I would be very mad if my stuff goes to another person.

shawnnaclement avatar
Shawnna Clement
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez. Schools are a community, not a commune. We didn't do that when I was a kid (in the US). We bought/ used our own and replaced them when needed. It was exciting selecting your Trapper Keeper, getting your folders labeled and decorated for school. My first grader's supplies filled 4 reusable grocery bags and weighed nearly as much as him. Seriously, why can't our tax dollars pay for tissues and paper towels?

houself12 avatar
Renegade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought the crappy school supplies. I expected MY kids to use the crappy school supplies, not the kid's that could afford the nice supplies.

kirara2516 avatar
kirara2516
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was in school I never had to share or give my extra supplies to my classmates. This teacher is angry because the girl had her name on her own stuff? Sounds like the teacher was trying to help herself to nice supplies. I'd contact the principal if I was OP.

jammiecoulter avatar
Jammie Coulter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Standardized education is really becoming way too stifling. A choice will be made if children will resume with individual choices, such as supplies, clothing and what they eat for lunch and just having their own ideas and style. Or, will parents allow this strange robotic, grey colored, everyone is the same, you can be a boy or a girl or nothing at all with no opinions, or individuality, grooming to continue. I wish a teacher would have tried to.pull this c**p with me. We want your daughter to learn, but her light needs to shine no brighter than any other child's. We are all the same here. No one is special. We need to talk to you about lowering the bar. It will make everyone more comfortable. We need you as a parent, to question yourself, even when you're doing everything right, so we can do and say whatever we want to your child, in the future, and you will be on public forums wondering why, and knowing it's only going to get worse, if you allow it to.

ivanakramaric avatar
Ivana Bašić
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where we live, it's normal for kids to share in preschool. We buy stuff, don't label any of it, it all goes into big boxes and everyone takes what they need only when they're using it, everything stays at school. The point is to teach them to share and cooperate, and to make it easier for everyone because little kids can't take care of so much stuff and it would give teachers more work to help them all the time. My daughter cared about her special supplies, glitter, her name, cute animals all over, so we kept those at home and bought generic for school. When they get to primary school, they should start learning to be more careful, so at that point each kid gets their own, we label everything, down to caps on markers, and they only pool things like drawing paper and tissues. It's pencils, I'm not going to war with the system over pencils.

rasheedashaheen avatar
Rasheeda Shaheen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All I am saying is if kids don't have the same supplies o well. So what's next everyone have to drive the same car at a job. We are making these kids weak. If you grow up with things not as nice you fight to do better for your kids. Everyone will not be equal let's stop creating whining brats.

giustizia avatar
Jus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What?? Buying supplies for others to mix? I had my own pencil case, I had to bring absolutely everything myself. There was nothing but desks and chairs in my classroom... It was fine. If someone struggles, people can help. But seriously. Nope, no sharing. No mixing my deluxe pencils with everyone else. Absurd!

alex51324 avatar
Alex Boyd
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand a teacher having complicated feelings about seeing some kids come in with little or nothing and others with a huge back-to-school shopping haul, but...I don't see how she thinks this would work without parents and kids getting upset about. And a big ruckus over it is going to be more embarrassing and stigmatizing for the "have-not" kids than just quietly putting what they need at their desk. If the teacher feels strongly about school supply inequality, she'd do better to put that energy into organizing a schoolwide supply drive. If families and community members bring things in, and then some volunteers sort them into packs based on each grade's supply list, it won't be obvious who has the "charity supplies," because it won't all be exactly the same; they'll have a mix of things from different stores, like everyone else. (And kids will be less likely to embarrass a classmate by blurting out, "your binder is just like the one we bought to give to the poor kids!")

alexandradavis avatar
Alexandra Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Brit and a retired teacher, I dont understand the requirement to buy extra stuff for the school? Surely it's the schools responsibility to buy supplies for the classroom as a whole/ for any kids whose parents can't/ won't buy them anything? The last school I worked in was in a deprived area and I had a budget to go out and buy a complete pencil case for any students who didn't have a set sent in from home for whatever reason. I brought all different styles and types so the kids didn't stand out with a generic case. This was standard in all schools I worked in. I don't understand the American method and as a parent and child I would be so hacked off of the equipment I bought was given to someone else!!

tutoredturtle avatar
Kathleen Benbow-Reis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like a little bit of bait-and-switch to me. If you did your due diligence by buying extra supplies for her classmates, and if you were not specifically instructed to refrain from your child having personalized supplies, then you appear to be in the right. If it were me, I might consider contacting the principal and explain the situation. I might also bring the mandatory list, the principal, and a recording device.

carrie_7 avatar
Carrie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your definitely not in the wrong. Before meeting with the teacher I would goask the principal to join in on the meeting just because.

angelwingsyt avatar
AngelWingsYT
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isnt normal (though its been years since i was in grade school) the school has supplies of dollar store supplies for students who come from lower income families. Students are asked to buy their own if possible no more no less (though doing so is appreciated)

nishaylensmith avatar
Nishaylen Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm A Kindergarten teacher and this is crazy. When my kids bring in supplies (labeled or not) it is put in their own personal bin to use as needed throughout the school year. If I had left over school supplies from the previous school year that parents chose to donate I would use that for the current school year for those who don't have or I would purchase extra supplies for my class just in case. My school gives us "classroom money" for this reason. For my kids I would write their names on everything as well and I wouldn't send everything in at one time. I work hard to make sure my kids have everything they need for school. Something is really off with this picture (the teacher). She's going way to extreme over some school supplies. Don't let her or anyone else try to sway you. You bought the extras and they need to make due with that.

sindustrydesign avatar
Penny Kemper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think teachers so ask if you'd like to donate extras for kids that don't have any but shouldn't be required. Yes you kids get what you bought them. There teacher know parent pick what their kids like. So giving them to others is wrong. And is extra supplies what the PTA is for?

madmcqueen avatar
Mad McQueen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bring her good stuff home to do her home work on and turn into the he teacher as a fu an leave the other stuff at the school. And when she has her first party Gift all the kids something with their names on it too.

tristanantoine avatar
All's Gravy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's one thing to subsidise state school, it's something else to be subsidising all the other kids' learning too.

jessicar_3 avatar
jessica r
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the heck, parents have to buy their kids supplies? Where I come from SCHOOL provides the necessary stuff like pencils, paper, pens, paint, coloring pencils etc. Everything that is necessary for the education of the kids. Only extra stuff like a unicorn fountain pen or pink glitter crayons are brought by kids and they are their own. (And that way everyone has the necessary stuff from reasonable quality, not cheap a*s rubbish)

fuyu avatar
fu yu
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This buying extra school supplies was a thing when I was a kid. I remember not using at least half of the stuff that was purchased in the beginning of the school year and asking my mother about it.

nasiomnc avatar
Collette Moisan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My children's school tried this with me. I sent them to school with what they will use & told my children that if they used up an item to tell me & I would give them another one. Teacher called me & told me that they wanted everything at the school, because they would give to other children that couldn't afford them. I told them that I was a single parent & I can not & will not support other children, especially ones on assistance as they are given extra money for those items. If those parents spend that money on other c**p, I will not be supporting them. They stopped bothering me about it.

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alloutbikes@yahoo.com
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

2nd grade son's class had 10 classrooms of 20 kids each. ~200 total. Each was supposed to bring 72 pencils. That was 14400. That was almost 1500 pencils per room. We never saw a pencil and none were returned.

cynthiaqueen58 avatar
Cynthia Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter has ADHD. So when she was in elementary school, I put her name on everything even ordering personalized pencils. I went to school to join her for lunch (PTA parent lunch fundraiser) and although I sent 2 pencils in her back pack every day, she didn't have a pencil. So i looked to see if she had dropped it, and I saw that the child who sits next to her had the pencil. So that's where her pencils had disappeared to.

cynthia-vengraitis avatar
Cydney Golden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a teacher for 3 decades. Mandatory lists are essential so each child has what they need. I taught in a well to do district but we still requested supplies from parents. Plus different teachers require different items . The crazy part is letting other kids choose from everyone's stuff. If someone didn't have the supplies that were supposed to be sent in it, the PTA would supply.

mrsb4905 avatar
ADHD McChick
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with everyone here. In addition, I'd request the principal be present at that meeting. If the principal sided with the teacher, I'd take it higher. To the superintendent, or more. As high as I had to go. And I'd see if I could switch my daughter out of that teacher's class. Because teacher is going to resent her parents, and her by extension. I wouldn't risk my kid being snubbed or treated badly for a whole year, over a teacher being ridiculous.

nanxwarren avatar
yellowphantom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does seem like a trend. My older kids kept their own supplies, except for maybe kleenex, which was designated as for the class. But for their much younger brother, everything we sent was collected at the beginning of the year and randomly doled out as needed.

lisachambers2018 avatar
Salty Wild Hair
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very absurd of the teacher. She apparently subscribes to the communistic approach for school supplies. But education is based on individual effort. And when I attended school, I used my own money to buy what I wanted. I took pride in my work and having the supplies I wanted helped me do my best work. Some children will make it work with the most basic of supplies. Tell that teacher you will indeed meet with her and will be the one doing the talking. Her opinions on the matter are not necessary.

bmarrs avatar
Barbara Vandewalle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One year I had list of items for the school year. I sent the dozen pencils to school, thinking that when my daughter needed another pencil it would be there. NOPE! After a month she needed another pencil. There was not one pencil she brought to school for her. The students had used all the extra pencils and there was not one pencil for my daughter. The teacher sent a note telling me I had to buy more pencils for the class. Not happening. She had two pencils in her case. She needed pencils she got it at home. That was the last time I sent extras to the school.

chargerface avatar
LAM
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Out shopping one day before school started, I overheard two moms saying they had to buy tissues for the classroom. One mom said why should I spend money on tissues, are all the moms going to contribute or just us? The second mom said let's go to the dollar tree and get tissues, they have the same brands (yes they have puffs and scotts) and we can buy what we need and save some money. Not knowing how much was on their list but I thought that was a good idea. I haven't been in school for decades, so I was used to having some supplies for students, but not everything.

tonyg1710 avatar
Tony Giordano
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pure and simple, the teacher is a liberal leftist socialist democrat!

chrissprucefield avatar
Chris Sprucefield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the parent buys the pupil their stuff, and extras, taking the pupils personal items and giving them to someone else, is THEFT, and it is sending the wrong message to the students, that they can get whatever anyone else has, by force. The extras that was bought, not a problem. The teacher in this is just wrong, and should not be in teaching.

ruthf_1 avatar
Ruth F
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have been livid. All the required stuff was provided. If the teacher took anything else it was stealing. And the teacher ought to be told so. Perhaps she had a political agenda and wanted to prepare the kids for when they "will own nothing"?

jacquelinemcclellan avatar
jacqueline Mcclellan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stay firm. Thats your child and what you want for her. She probably wants xtra stuff for her own kid

treehugger98022 avatar
Sabrina Teller Metzger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA!!! Years ago, when my daughter went to school, I found out (when I visited her class for conference) that had been going on without my knowledge. I was Pi$$××! I was a struggling single mother who spent extra for My daughter's supplies, making sure I provided her with quality materials. Also, she is an only child, and is Meticulous with her stuff. Other kids are disgusting and filthy. Sorry, but it's true. It's not only dishonest to provide a list without telling you that none of it is for your own child, but for a class pool instead, but it's also horribly unsanitary to "share" and pass that stuff around. Certainly the past 2 years of Pandemic should have taught us that. For that, as well as numerous other reasons, I took her out of Brick-and-Mortar public schools, in favor of Virtual K-12 learning. A far, FAR better choice all the way around!

stevenjohnson_2 avatar
Steven Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Refuse the meeting or insist she have it with a lawyer. If I buy Crayola and my kid ends up with dollar tree I'm using the teacher personally and the school district. And you have every right to personalize supplies. Theft is rampant and apparently teachers encourage it.

sleepyone2three avatar
Matthew Fox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Admittedly I never went to a school with these policies though so it all seems a bit foreign to me, but my initial thought is to wonder how this type of system works in a post COVID world. Are the kids using different sets of supplies each day or are they being arbitrarily handed out for the year? If the former, is it the teacher having the kids wash their hands before and after each use as well as sanitizing the supplies between each use? If the latter, why not just allow the kids to stick with their own supplies and have the extra supplies the parents who were able and willing to give available for those who need them? Especially when the mom mentioned that the daughter is particular about the paper she has. Having a younger brother who's both on the spectrum and grew up with a fine motor skills disability, I can absolutely understand where she might be coming from.

kevincampbell_2 avatar
Kevin Campbell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was married to a teacher. She would get 200$ a year for supplies. Instead of getting supplies for the kids, she used it for posters and other decorations she could take with her. Those carry over to other schools and the next year, so after that it was seen as a bonus. That money was never looked at in respect to what it was spent on. I had to buy 2,000$ worth of tools and maintain them as a Lineman and 375$ boots. Also had to work year round. She was making more per hour when you compare her salary to hours worked. This was in three different states and one was outside Fayetteville NC in a high poverty area. Teachers get plenty to spend on their profession, but act like they don't and will never admit to getting money for supplies. Teaching kids to take care of their things because it's not easy to replace is a good lesson. Even with communism like this redistribution someone will always have something to be jealous of, and at a young age it's mostly friends.

hiltontyoung avatar
Hilton T Young
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Schools must be soft these days. we grew up in the 80s poor with a disabled dad and home maker mom. they just bought us pens, notepads, binders, paper, bookbags, etc. and when we ran low they had more for us from sales and discount stores. you had what you had and you didn't have what you didn't have. this is all part of the woke weak mindset of today where you try to force everyone to be the same instead of acknowledging that life ain't fair, but success comes to those who work the hardest

charlise6 avatar
Charlise Morris Lyons
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the EXACT reason I personalized my son's personal stuff. Not the extras that DO get redistributed ( which I found out the hard way last year when I spent over$500 and then was asked for more crayons for my kid " because he had none" ) .. So this year I bought most of the stuff to pass out and got my son his own stuff as well.

blatherskitenoir avatar
blatherskitenoir
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually the norm now for US schools. I don't know why the mom is surprised. It sounds like mom KNEW this would happen, and bought the customized items specifically for her child to have nicer than the other kids' stuff. Teacher is most likely going to ban the daughter from using any of the special stuff and have her take from the communal chest of materials. The principal will likely back the teacher. If mom raises holy hell, they'll probably say fine, use the special stuff, but.....mom will then be red flagged as one of *those* parents, so she can kiss teacher goodwill goodbye until the girl graduates (they ALL gossip. All of them) and the daughter will be singling herself out. Maybe she's the type to pull it off and become queen bee-ish, maybe the other kids will steal her stuff and break it while they make fun of her, or (middle ground,) they do nothing, but think she's weird for having her own stuff.

greggthompson_1 avatar
Gregg Thompson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have done the same thing. Sounds like the teacher has some sort of complex. Go to the meeting with a friend and invite the principal and vice principle. I'd even try to get a school board member. Let this teacher explain her actions.

blatherskitenoir avatar
blatherskitenoir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is a misunderstanding between what mom views as the "classroom supplies" and what she does not. She is probably thinking the stuff like tissues are for the classroom and everything else is personal. But it's not. In the younger grades, it is very common nowadays that ALL supplies go in a communal pot. All pencils, all paper, all notebooks, everything. They are all given over to the teacher, who stores them until needed for an activity. All mixed together. This is done so kids who have no supplies are never singled out, and because otherwise the kids run out of paper, pencils etc. by winter break, or lose the notebook needed for the spring journalling activity. They don't label things because it'll cause issues if things get lost and be a pain to track 30-100+ students' personal materials. A clue that this is what will happen is if a teacher requests specific brands. Daughter is most likely going to be told she cannot use any of the personalized items.

marydewitt avatar
Mary DeWitt
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This teacher is ridiculous. Maybe she needs to buy more supplies with her own money. You are not responsible for classroom supplies or any other child's supplies. Tell your child to use the supplies and if the teacher has an issue then she needs to take up the classroom budget allotment with the school board. No meeting! No way!

hatiwolf avatar
Hati Wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love to talk to that teacher. Behaviorally you just advanced the child's learning capability which is supposed to be what teachers do. The child identifies with said items and now will more likely use them and with positive feeling. I'm more driven to enjoy or even do my work at all when I'm handing tools I connect with positively. Conversely when I work with items that don't work as well with they make me avoid the task. Last week in my lab I was working with pens with a wide ball. It made writing information in the small square a chore and over a week I found myself not liking the task of culture transfers on petri dishes over a generic tool even though it was my chosen expensive pens I use to write and sign documents. So I went online and bought ultra fine point pens in a style I liked visually and that also added ease ergonomically for my task. A week later I find myself wanting to deal with petri dish transfers again. A teacher is supposed to help attract students to work.

troup avatar
Stephen Troup
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eliminate 1 $100k salaried useless school bureaucrat and you can supply all the classroom supplies for the district.

keekeedeke avatar
Kim Motsinger Thompson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teachers would not like me (and often didn't when my kids were little), I would not give a F*** what the teacher had to say. If I'm spending my money on supplies for my child, I want my child using it. I also don't care if the teacher has to buy supplies for the classroom herself, oh well... the money I spend is for my child, not the class. Period. That is exactly what I would tell the teacher, if she doesn't like it, too damn bad. I'll be personalizing everything all year long.

speckledragoncat avatar
Speck Negriit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm A Student, And Every School I've Been To (Had To Switch Due To Moving), Had A Room With Supplies And My Current School Has A Place You Go To Gather Things Even For Out Of School, Like Toothbrushes/Paste, And Other Things Like It. I Can't Believe That Teacher, Hopefully They Get Fired.

sabrinaiglesia avatar
Sabrina Iglesia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a parent and I do the same thing. I buy what is on the supply list, then I get what my son wants personalized. This teacher is ridiculous. What she is trying to do is keep control over supplies. Who has what and that way she can send out more request later in the year if need be. If your child has their own supplies she will have extra but it may not be enough to for all those in need at the same time she won't be able to request the class parents send in more supplies. I had one of my son's school try to tell us that so the PTA came up with 1/2 year fund raiser for school supplies. That put a stop to that.

leslieagostino avatar
Leslie Agostino
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Redistribution of school supplies? To me this sounds like this teacher believes in socialism. Red flag in my opinion. She is showing her political affiliation w/o show her affiliation. I would request a transfer to another class if this was a teacher my kid would be dealing with

laylaagahi avatar
layla agahi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They did this it my sons school too. They took all his supplies and mixed it up with everyone else's. He even got in trouble for having special twistable colored pencils..

marshmallowpeepsbunny avatar
Marshmallow PeepsBunny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why more and more parents and students are turning to online school.for K-12 kids, to avoid the burgeoning crisis of teachers who bully children and single them out because they don't fit in to their idea of perfect children. Teacher is a joke, and this encounter with someone this passive aggressive is alarming. Imagine another months with this teacher? She is probably bipolar and the schools.need teachers so.she gets away with this c**p.

marshmallowpeepsbunny avatar
Marshmallow PeepsBunny
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why more people are turning to online schools K-12 tp breal free of teachers who bully kids and tale their stuff. This teacher is a joke. If things are already this rough in the beginning of the year, imagine at least more than 9 months with this passive aggressor.

leahlandry avatar
Leah Landry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA! You have done NOTHING wrong. Every student should use their own supplies. When I was a kid there were always people trying to take my stuff...even clothing...and exchange it for their own stuff that wasn't taken care of as properly as I took care of my things. If the teacher wants everyone to have generic supplies or a group supply she needs to specify that next year. Maybe generic supplies could be donated to students whose parents can't afford it as well.

johnschroeder avatar
John Schroeder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What might the teacher think about some of her paycheck being redistributed to the parents of the students? Fair enough, no?

lindatierney avatar
Linda Tierney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to know why the school budget is not supply for the children. It cost $5000,per student and that was 30 years ago. What on earth are they doing with the money we pay taxes for. Yes get notebooks and folders a few things. But I remember kids going in my own desk taking things of mine. Schools need to have a supply room like when we were kids. Education is important. But education that teaches that we are communist that is wrong. Taking a child's supply's is wrong. If I were you I would complain to the Sau and have a meeting of your own the the principal a superintendent. Tell them that you are going to talk to the newspaper about this practice of stealing from children.

darianstarfrog avatar
Darian Starfrog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nta.. the holy c**p! This is a THING in the u.s!? Man! America has ISSUES!!! NO funding for SCHOOLS!? Man! They REALLY want you dumb eh! Crazy! Never heard of anything like this.. in NZ, Samoa or Australia! Madness!

becca75 avatar
Becca Hauck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first year that I was required to send printer paper, 3 containers of disinfectant wipes, 3 boxes of tissues, big bottle of hand sanitizer, big pack of dry erase markers, zip lock bags, etc.etc.? I labeled everything with my son's name. The teacher was pissed. A teacher friend of mine told me that it was because they get enough tissues and disinfectant wipes, etc. that they take a portion of them home for their family's use.

christinevalencia avatar
Christine Valencia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a normal thing... What I hated was buying the supplies requested on the list then meet the teacher happened and she/he had a completely different list... So I decided every year from then on I would ask who the teacher was then meet her. Then specifically asked for her supply list and buy only the supplies she asked for... The school supply list from the office is a list to supply all the teachers for every child you have some supplies on the list go to your child's class but not all...

dipsitincrazy avatar
dips itincrazy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I would say have a plan for the students that can't afford school supplies and such to have a community drive where people can donate stuff. This way we all win . I don't have kids in school today but I always throw in on stuff for the community

sharreldinebowers avatar
Sharreldine Bowers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm actually surprised no one is putting a name to this attitude: that's communism. Everything belongs to the folks in charge, regardless of cost or effort, and is distributed equally or as how they see fit, so everyone is "equal" and no one is special. It always sounds fine on paper, but is a very demeaning way of life, and highly inappropriate for a teacher to practice with school supplies.

stevendinowindfeld avatar
Steven Windfeld
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of third rate teacher would steal a kids' supplies? This would never be allowed in Denmark.

ianst_john avatar
Ian St. John
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So when did the USA become communist? If there is a problem with some students not having the finances for all their needs, it would be better if there was a drive or link to support groups to fill in the gaps. From everyone according to their (fiscal) ability, to everyone according to their need shouldn't be the plan. There should be a voluntary community effort to fill in the gaps or an organized political movement to stop the shift of wealth to the private sector which is leaving the public sector and lower income classes too stretched to succeed.

rosslynstreet avatar
Rosslyn Street
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this a thing in the US? I'm from another country and in my country, that doesn't happen, well idk about public schools cause I always went to private schools and they always gave out a list of school supplies, there were things like hand soap, paper towels and rolls and some material that had to be bought to share with everyone but aside from those, all the supplies were mine and mine only, we never had to distribute them with anyone else unless we were willing to share, by high school, a list of supplies were no longer given, everyone was allowed to bring whatever they wanted or could afford

otisfrimp avatar
Otis Frimp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The redistribution of the wealth has been going on for a while in classrooms and is expected by a number of teachers. They think it is only "fair" that those who have more means supply for those who have less or at least those who didn't care to spend the money. The only solution for this is to buy the worst supplies you can find for the communal pool if a teacher is going to be sticky about this. There have been many cases of the good supplies being taken from kids and pushed into the closet and never seen again by the child who brought them in.

luisvalencia avatar
Luis Valencia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a taste of that "equity" they've been trying to shove down our throats. Enjoy!

laynamats avatar
Layna Mats
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

School supplies should be for the child who purchased them.

a_r_t_s_fasttrack avatar
Ahsoka Tano
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former Girl Scout leader and cheerleaders coach who had to constantly buy supplies for the girls, I understand the need for schools to have extra items set up for students whose families cannot afford them. That said, you fulfilled your obligations by buying extras for the classroom which is all you were requested to do. There is nothing wrong with your child wanting something that is hers alone and making sure that it isn't taken from her. Children need to be able to express individuality even at young ages as it helps define who they are and creativity. If your daughter finds that in having items that are uniquely hers, so be it. The teacher has no say in it. I used to buy blank notebooks, stickers, markers, paints, and let the girls decorate their notebook the way they wanted. They then had cubbies to put their items it. It became their responsibility to remember to put it back, keep track of where they left it. Also teaches responsibility.

scottkenny135 avatar
Bionic Bionic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You people act like it's ok since she bought extra for the class, no it's not my responsibility to do anything except for my kid and if I want to personalize them that's my choice too, if a teacher is taking kids supplies and redistributing them, that's stealing and charges should be pressed against the teacher

debbieschaap avatar
Deborah Schaap
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The school she buy stationary for the students, Who cant afford it, having a list and buying for your child to share with the class is ridicioulous, my Mom bought me Faber castelle pencils to colour in, i was shocked at the teacher demanding i share them, and the other kids destroyed them

justsimplyshonda1 avatar
Shonda Hinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have worked in the classrooms for years as a teachers aide. Never have I heard of such nonsense this teacher is tripping. Take a witness and get her straight now so she does not take it out an pick on your child for the rest of the year. I work with behavioral children and one thing they do not do is share!

wjh_1 avatar
WJH
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make sure you have a third party with you, somebody you know and trust. And maybe the principal or vice principal as well. This teacher will probably be "teaching" things that have nothing to do with the subject they teach. This parent did nothing wrong, in fact was generous by giving extra that could go to others. The supplies you buy are meant for Your child, is often picked out by Your child. And is not meant for other children. To take everything from every child and then have them choose what they want NO NO AND NO. They've already chosen with their parents.

lindeeg avatar
Lindee G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm now a grandma of 15. I personalize with their names so they don't get stolen or swapped. Tough nickels if princess teacher doesn't like it.

mrwhitetpd_1 avatar
Marguerite White
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No way would that teacher take my supplies. I fought that battle years ago. I told them under no circumstances were they to take my child’s supplies. I consider that stealing. I also labeled everything. Had no problem supplying extra pencils and crayons as all kids lose or break them but would not supply extra notebooks or binders. If a specific child needed supplies I would anonymously donate those items to that child. Too many worthless parents out there are perfectly capable of supplying needed items and either don’t or supply c**p. Not my problem! That’s what all the exorbitant taxes are for!!

jimibest avatar
Porpoisepower
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm just pissed that we don't fund our schools enough that parents have to provide supplies for their kids. I mean if your kid wants BTS/Pokemon/pride folders/binders or #3 pencil's that's one thing. But there's lot's of stuff the school district should be supplying the classrooms with but can't. Even when my kid gets out of school I'll b happy to pay $10-20 extra year in property taxes and make sure the school can afford tissues and disinfectant wipes.

nadirearopma avatar
Sarah Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's complete BS for a teacher to get angry like that. Anything I say has already been said in the comments from the thread above. But, I think I've got an idea as to why the teacher was angry. It's a power trip. I think they're one of those teachers who enjoys exerting control over the kids and when that control is threatened by not being able to do what she wants, she got angry at it.

lisamurray_2 avatar
Lisa Murray
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel she should have had her own supplies if that's what her mom wanted but I understand what they're doing they're trying to set it up so that no kid feels like they don't have Nice things. Parents out there will purposely buy more expensive items so that their child can go to school and brag about how much more money they have than somebody else.

deannayoung avatar
Deanna Young
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this a absolute ridiculous request for other parents to supply for other children's needs. It's not fair to a parents to be forced into buying more than their child needs. Every parent is and should be respoñsiabe for their own children. It's expensive enough to buy what their own children need. If the school feels the need to share materials then they should provide for needy children.Not other parents. For the record. If a child has no lunch money,clothing,shoes or coat are they gonna start forcing other parents to pay for that too. I feel it every parents responsibility to provide for their own children. Parent may want to start buying things a head of time to insure their kids have what they need before school starts. Let this teacher do the same to help out

dereklotek avatar
Derek Lotek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is simply the teacher normalizing redistribution of wealth.

nedilskaanastasiia avatar
removebeforeflight
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find the whole concept of collecting supplies and handing them to children at school a little bit stupid. In my country we don't have something like this. My parents were buying me my own nice supplies, and I have always carried them with me. We didn't leave them at school, and the fact that some of the students had sh*tty supplies didn't influence other students who had nice supplies. ETA: of course we were sharing our things with others if they had forgotten them at home, but teachers had no deal with that

excalibur_1 avatar
Excalibur
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to me. I went to a private school and every year my parents ticked the buy everything box. So, over the years my stash built up. Then one year the teacher asked me to share with a poorer kid and i said no. She made me stand up and asked again i said no. My parents paid for these things. This private education, you can afford the fees so buy the stationery. The teacher called my mom and told her i won't share. My mom ripped the teacher a new one. My mom is also a state school teacher so she gets the teacher's point. But no she bought me nice things.

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. This practice falsely “evens” the playing field. This stuff should just be supplied by the school. Work provides us common equipment to use to do our jobs as adults (office supplies, pens, tools of the trade, etc.) What do we pay taxes for if it isn’t for school supplies? Yes, funding for schools is going down, and no teachers shouldn’t have to reach into their own pocketbooks for supplies. But, this is a problem that should be brought to administrators and teachers unions to lobby for more funding for school supplies, not for discretionary spending. That funding should be earned by schools that show they are improving test scores of students (not necessarily top scores, but year over year improvement in scores). This would motivate kids to work harder, and motivate teachers and administrators to work harder to make sure everyone is learning, and doing their best to improve, to receive more funding for discretionary spending on nicer playground equipment, and the extras.

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RockSteady
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We reuse supplies every year because most of the stuff we buy comes back with only a few pages used or the folders barely touched. I got a note this year that only new supplies are to be handed in. I told the teacher to go pound sand. We believe in sustainability in our home and there is no reason gently used for MY OWN KID cannot be accepted. She then told they gather all the supplies and redistribute. Why? What sense does that make? The best is that I have a left handed son so I bought left handed supplies for him. They took those away and gave them all right things (like scissors and notebooks).

lauramandadocacho avatar
Laura Mandado Cacho
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ridiculous, when I was in school I had my own supplies, I understand providing for those that can't affords them, but I would have hated it if they had taken mine and given them to someone else. Is this normal in USA? Because as far as I know it doesn't happen in Spain

ribnosnorgna avatar
Ribno Snorgna
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lmao quality ""journalism"" right here...no sources, no proof. Just a reddit thread clearly farming for easy karma. Are you a moron?

adelinaflores avatar
Adelina Flores
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am assuming this story comes from America: I thought Americans disliked communism. Turns out they teach it in elementary 🤣

2-katniss avatar
A falz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not a parent or grandparent. But when I heard about this practice a few years ago I was appalled. Parents have a hard enough time providing supplies for their kids and the school wants you to buy for other kids. I personally think that the lists should be just for the kid but put at the bottom of the list if you would like to donate an extra item it would be appreciated. I feel that would get a better response then to require the parent/parents to provide for the classroom.

cab102361 avatar
Candy Berg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is ridiculous. This is something made up to make someone way less fortunate feel better than someone else. While the heart is in the right place, the sentiment is incorrect. She not only bought her child her supplies but bought extras. Taking from one who supposedly has a better set to give to another is ridiculous. I always bought more than was asked because I knew not every parent would and there was need. But I’d never ever condone this behavior. I’d rather supply another child myself.

abbieallbee avatar
abbie allbee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No schools I went to or my 3 adults children allowed personify stuff either. So I never bought it unless it was for home

corieemery avatar
Corie Emery
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See my parents would buy our list and then at the bottom every year but high school and junior high the teacher would write if the parents could donate any of the following for another student or the class as a whole. My parents would buy two sets for my brother and myself and would write that they would prefer it to go to a student in need but under stands if maybe not enough donated and would go to a class fund. Some years it didn't some years it went to the class fund. the only difference my parents did is I liked automatic pencils cause normal hurt my hand cause of pressure, so they wouldn't buy the donated ones the same pencils as me and the teachers all understood and I always got a big 64 pieces crayon and the donated were 30 something or the 24 pack, still more since the paper said 12 (I think) pack of crayons. Every year I would come home with a nice hand written note from my teachers for my parents saying thank you. I felt proud and learned a bigger lesson that way.

irajayrosen25 avatar
Ike Rosen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meet with the principal to complain about the teacher's unreasonable demands on parents

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Brutus the Bear
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its funny that people are against this, but this is exactly how school works. Instead of paying for your own kid, everyone else does.

aj_30 avatar
Aj
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a teacher but this is…just so odd to me. Maybe it’s the fact that I teach high school instead of elementary, but I rarely expect my students to provide their own supplies. I don’t even keep track of what I spend on my classroom anymore, because honestly it just makes my life easier. I also have help from my department and co-workers. This teacher is doing WAY TOO MUCH. I’m pleasantly surprised when families at my school can afford to send their kids with supplies, so I genuinely cannot understand this teacher’s privileged point of view. Most of my interactions with parents are either begging them to make sure their child isn’t skipping school or attempting to justify why I wrote their child up after he/she/they flipped me off and walked out of class. I truly wish that my biggest problem was my student’s having monogrammed supplies.

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Aj
Community Member
1 year ago

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aj_30 avatar
Aj
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a high school teacher, so maybe it’s just a difference between primary and secondary but…I could NEVER do something like this. It’s a welcome surprise when parents actually CAN get their teenage students the three things I ask for ( a binder, filler paper, and pencils) and I only ask them to share if I’m totally out of something, the school supply room is out, and I can’t use my conference (or lunch) time to run to Walmart. I don’t even think about the amount of money I spend on my classroom anymore, to be honest. My students know that if they need something, they can come to me for help. That’s honestly the bare minimum of what I do.

katieosborn avatar
Katie Osborn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been teaching for 22 years and never heard of the swapping thing! I have always brought supplies or the school provided for kids. But I have definitely never taken personal supplies brought parents for their kids. Those I consider theirs. If someone brought glue sticks for the class I just give them out out as needed. Strange that I have been teaching this long it’s the first I ever heard of swapping.

atarahderek avatar
Raini Way
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, so all of a sudden, socialism is bad. Funny how that works, isn't it?

bradgraffice avatar
Brad Graffice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never had any of my school supplies taken from me to be redistributed and I don't recall the teachers asking for extra supplies for the other kids. Why is it a parents job to supply materials for all the other students

adamarb89 avatar
Adam Arb89
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get your kid out of that school. They clearly condone and encourage communism.

briank_1 avatar
Brian K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If every student had personalized supplies, where do those supplies get kept? I can see kids fighting and crying over not finding their personalized items. What a headache! As to "i have money so should be able to purchase better things for my kid". Sure. Maybe keep them at home then?

candiceshort87 avatar
Candice Blanton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I home school. No crazy c**p from schools and my kids don't learn things that have nothing to do with education.

ericyoder avatar
Eric Yoder
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This site can delete my messages all they want and I'll keep reposting. It is indeed illegal to steal the supplies. Do these schools not realize that we are their employers? Defund them along with the police. Let conclusion hit them when they no longer receive a paycheck

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Defunding isn’t the answer. And no, we aren’t their bosses. Yes our taxes do go to paying for salaries. The problem is with how those funds are distributed among the school districts, and how the school boards decide to use that money. All districts should be given the basic funding needed to maintain the school buildings, pay all teachers the same salary, and provide school supplies. Anything extra should be raised through fundraising, and be given on a merit-based system. If a school district shows improvement in test scores, more funding for that new gym, or football field. If a teacher is showing they are improving their classes test scores, a bonus is paid. If an administrator shows that a school is well run and exceeds the bare minimum, a bonus is paid. We should be teaching kids that hard work leads to better rewards. None of this false equity or “evening of the playing field.” But we shouldn’t go to extremes to defund all programs.

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Paula Wynn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a retired teacher, and I NEVER did the "classroom community supplies" thing. I had parents who didn't send ANYTHING, yet their kids were wearing $200 shoes and name brand clothing. Why should anyone share THEIR supplies? I used to save lost pencils, notebooks, etc. in a box. If students needed something, they went to the box to get it. I also had a class set of scissors, glue, rulers, crayons, etc. they could borrow. I actually had kids complain because I had liquid glue instead of glue sticks. Our guidance counselor had supplies for those in need, and school supply drives all over our community for those who truly can't afford them. As a parent buying my own kids' supplies, I noticed that there really isn't a huge price difference between Crayola and the cheap brands when they're on sale. I also personalized all of my kids' supplies. My kids didn't wear expensive shoes, but they had the supplies that THEY chose. I can't understand the socialist ideas these teachers practice!

ericyoder avatar
Eric Yoder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't care who says what. This is ILLEGAL. OP's item are OP's items. This is still called theft and for those of you defending the teacher, the teacher is a PUBLIC SERVANT employed by the OP's tax dollars. The students and parents aren't the servants to the teacher. It's about damn time the school faculty does what they're told to do or they too can be defunded

harenterberge avatar
haren ter berge
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad i grew up in the Netherlands where all supplies were provided by the school.

leilaabdelmeguid avatar
Leila Abdelmeguid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a kindergarten teacher. Since my students don't sit at traditional desks with a space to keep belongings (we have more like large round tables where several students sit all together) I do take their supplies and put them all in bins to pass out when needed. However, if a student were to come in with special or personalized items, I will let that student keep it in his/her bag or I make sure that student gets to use his/her own item when they are distributed. I also buy supplies out of pocket for when we run out, which we inevitably always do.

elisehudson avatar
Elise Hudson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't stop laughing about "horror stories".... They're school supplies. You are out of line. This is standard in schools now. It's why they ask for specific supplies. It's the school uniform of supply lists. Just keep the special stuff at home. Set up a special desk for her if you want.

jamesdavis_4 avatar
James Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is not out of line. This is standard in schools now? Since when? Since you lefty commies have infiltrated the education system! GTFOH with your communist share share alike attitude.

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Channo Sagara
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait so in America it's normal to take away kid's stuff and redistribute them? I thought you guys against communism... Back here in asia schools would just ask money, everyone gets the same crappy crayons.

rasheedashaheen avatar
Rasheeda Shaheen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter school in grade school will ask parents to send in extra supplies for other kids she is now in college. My nieces school just asked parents to donate supplies or money to the class they even do fund raisers. But to take a child stuff off of them is crazy. I brought my daughters stuff had her name on her binder. But her school gave all the kids their own nice school binder with the schools name and mascote on it and a day planner. My child went to a public school. I would buy her her own pencils and crayons etc. All name brand. Heck they got name brand at the dollar tree stores. Wal marts have name brands for $1 or less. I did brought a lot of extra supplies for my daughters class every year once each report period. My daughter would buy class stuff with her allowance. She brought her teacher a big pack of those stick notes pads because other teachers would take her teachers pad. I wrote a note to her teacher she was so overwhelmed. I don't get this teacher c**p

blklthrwhtlc avatar
Mindy Max
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My kids are grown. I've always bought extra supplies for the to take to school for the kids whose parents can't afford the required supplies. My choice! They have absolutely no right to take from your kid though. That's wrong on every level. They have school supply drives here to help with that! Maybe the teacher needs to try something like that.

mapleporkchop avatar
Maple Porkly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly this is now standard where I live. My daughter has panic attacks in new settings so when she started school, I did something similar as this woman. I had my daughter pick out every pencil, book, crayon box. The works. She came home in tears that it was all taken from her and she got none of it back. Other kids picked through it all and she got generic stuff. I was so upset for her. I bought everything again and took the day off writing her name in permanent ink on every page, crayon, etc. Ya I sound crazy but we'll do anything for our kids.

heatherchurch avatar
Heather Church
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, I'm in Quebec, Canada...we have a school list..and heaven forbid we deviate from said list!!!--Im old enough that I remember going to the school for books and crayons and such!!(I also remember vying for the kid who vaccum cleaned the chalk erasers!!)-- let's just say that year over year I am blown away how much it costs to sent my child to school( not including school fees!!).. Hun I feel ya!!!

fbtvlvsme avatar
Lisa Dye
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay so When my kid was in Kindergarten the Teacher requested plain colored folder. Well my kid picked out a Unicorn or something and I was irritated like who cares it’s HER folder… well no. The teacher would just stuff the folders with paper homework notes ect throw them in backpacks at the end of the day and collect them the next day. That why she wanted PLAIN ones that were not personalized or fun. I got over it for a 50 cent folder. I saw first hand how she had a system of collecting them and stuffing them and handing them back out, what a mess it would have been to do each one individually!

donnamok avatar
Donna Cheung
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm supposing the OP is in the US? I don't get the system. Where I'm from, whatever you bought belongs solely to you. For other school supplies, you pay for them (you pay the school) but the school buys them so everybody uses the same thing. For your own items, you buy according to your budget or preferences and unless they go against school rules, you can use whatever.

christinedeangelis-webber avatar
Christine DeAngelis-Webber
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, for all the people saying the teacher should buy it and then sell it to the parents or ask for donations - this is not something you are permitted to do. At.All. If you want to spend your own money and equip your class then great, that's your own money, you can't ask for money from parents. And parents are going to die on THIS hill? Not kids bringing bulletproof backpacks to school? Not no seatbelts on buses? Not short recesses and short lunches? Stuff that impacts the actual health and safety of your child? But school supplies?! And you'll go to the top of the admin pile over this? Insane for the parent and the teacher to even engage. Ridiculous.

kirynsilverwing avatar
Kiryn Silverwing
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter only just started public school last year, and it doesn't work like that at her school. Due to the pandemic, the school has extra budget to give each kid their own very basic pencil case and supplies, so that they're not sharing their germs along with their crayons and scissors. Sometimes the teachers ask for donations of items like dry erase markers, glue sticks, or Lysol wipes. Maybe some parents are buying special supplies for their kids but it's not required.

brianadae04 avatar
Briana Landers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To anyone wondering: Yeah. U.S. thing. The only communities who do t have to do this are the ones who get donations outside of what the students bring. We still have to bring paper and tissues and stuff tho if we don't have to bring that stuff.

rob_eman avatar
Rob Eman
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally like this class/school re-distribution policy! It teaches children starting at an early age that Marxism and Socialism are no good! As society will just take your nice things and redistribute it to others giving you junk in return. (Now just don't get me started on child support inequalities where the courts take from the person who society values more and gives it to the person society values less. For up to 18 years of that! Talk about a race to the bottom where the bigger loser wins. So dumb.... It just results in a weaker, poorer society, with less taxes paid, and other maladies).

hjemmemac avatar
Soon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't everyone just buy the supplies their kid needs? Where I live school and school supplies are free until High school so this is something I'm not familiar with. Don't see a problem with the parents buying what their kids prefer, as long as it's not any 'over the top' supplies.

christina_cleary avatar
Christina Cleary
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know the consensus is that the teacher is crazy, but I think she's right. Poor children know they're poor, they don't need more reminders, and it's not something they have any control over. If you want poor children to not repeat the cycle, you have to build their self worth. I think pooling supplies in that kind of setting is wise. It helps the teachers and can provide a lot of developmental benefits for kids (both rich and poor). If you want to get your kid artisanal school supplies, keep it at home for her to do her homework with. All your accomplishing by pulling a D-bag move like this is teaching your child that empathy is less important than getting what you want. It sends the message that she's better than the other kids even though she did nothing to deserve it. It's also making a huge scene because now little Susie has her own special bag of premium supplies and everyone else shares? Get over yourself. If you want to be stuck up put her in private school.

sleepyone2three avatar
Matthew Fox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The mom mentioned that the little girl is very particular about the type of stationary she uses and it feels presumptuous to assume it's a want vs need type of thing. I grew up with a younger brother on the spectrum who also has a fine motor skills disability and is predominantly left handed. Factors like these and other situations can sometimes lead to kids/people in general having these particularities about them. While this is all speculation on my part, this may be the mom's way of trying to accommodate her child's needs while also offering the requested supplies to other kids who need them. And, honestly, the fact that the mother is asking for advice on this in the first place tells me she's trying to be empathetic to the situation rather than being stuck up about it.

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Atlasheld
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teacher here. In some schools and districts there is a strong push to avoid any child at all, from feeling 'less' because their parents worked harder or made more money. It goes towards clothing, supplies, you name it. The me too with stuff can get ugly quickly so I think some elementary teachers try to 'redistribute the wealth' as it were. Not a huge fan of this practice.

christinedeangelis-webber avatar
Christine DeAngelis-Webber
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll be the odd one out. We do this at my school because we have classroom materials vs each kid having their own individual supplies. So we collect the supplies but they go into a shared container, not redistributed to other kids to be their own materials. The kids don't have individual pencil boxes. But, we are also clear on the supply list that the materials are shared with the class. So, there are containers of crayons, colored pencils and pencils. We don't ask for paper or anything like that. We ask for boxes of tissues, which are put around the class, each kid doesn't use their own box of tissue. Hand sanitizer. Paper towels. And if you can't, that's ok. I will buy whatever the child needs including backpacks, headphones, lunchboxes...it's the way our rooms are set up. And if a kid brings in something fancy, they can choose to share it with the class or take it home to use at home.

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s how it should be. Keep the premium stuff at home. But the school needs to be supplying kids with the basic supplies to learn. We need to push our government to distribute schools funds for this purpose. Not to build new buildings when not necessary, or to pay a superintendent more salary.

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B. K.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the theme of the classroom is" share everything" and please don't buy personalized items, then the teacher should be clear about it. I think it's a good idea!

jeffluong avatar
Jeff Luong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Send the personalized stuff back home. We don’t have this at our work offices do we? We get standard issued equipment that belongs to the company. School should have standard issue pencils, crayons, etc. The federal government should just have a standard issue of supplies that are distributed to all the school districts. Basics only. Anything else. Keep at home. Use on your own time.

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colintimp avatar
Colin Timp
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reason for this is so that the kids don't know who the poor kids are. Like one of the commenters said, he always got the dollar store crayons while other kids had Crayola. The way the teacher is doing it keeps the kids from knowing who has what. It eliminates jealousy and self-esteem issues. However I think that kids just have to get used to this; as it doesn't get any better as you get older. They're not going to be doing this with clothes and cars in high school!

miz_jen_lee avatar
Jennifer Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

B******t. This is a feel-good grandstanding moment for the teacher, at the expense of the students who will have their carefully-selected binders taken away and replaced with c**p. It's horribly unfair to the KIDS. If fairness were truly the goal, the teacher would demand that donated items were of equal quality as the children's own items, and parents could prove this by including receipts.

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ottomaniac avatar
Ottoman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Selfish jerk is raising a spoiled brat. "My BABY can't write on the wrong PAPER! What if THE POORS use HER PAPER?" Teacher should just tell everyone that Mia has decided she's so special she won't share. Let it play out that way.

andrewizak33 avatar
Kacey Tucker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Supplies were provided by the parent for the class. Did you even read what was posted? Just because a parent buys something JUST for their kid doesn't mean squat. The teacher is the one acting entitled (and so are you). Please, don't procreate if you're going to have the entitled attitude you display here. Really, it's for the best. I'd hate for my child to someday have to deal with you and your spawn.

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kpalp232 avatar
BlahBlahBlackSheepah
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teacher s jobs are hard enough. She didn't want to deal with this social economic drama. Maybe she just wanted to teach a class without even more disruption than is usual in school. 9yo has a paper preference.?! Gtfo. Look at the school s budget first before crying about having to spend $20 on top shelf supplies for a kid at an underfunded school. If precious must have Crayola The mom s bougie rear could have bought 2 packs and gave her kid one for the 2nd day. Kids don't choose Poverty. Wealth is represented in all aspects of school and ma just couldnt stand the thought of someone unfortunate having crayons, or whatever supplies are creasing her, that she purchased for a swap she knew was coming. Bought some extra 50 cent folders. like a Saint.

phunter avatar
J Hunter
Community Member
1 year ago

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Something to think about. A family can end up spending $100 or more on school supplies. It can be a burden for families of all sizes. If they have a middle schooler they may also need to buy a calculator. Specific calculators for high school classes can cost $100 alone. Lots of times teachers are paying for extra supplies. Some commenters are saying that the less well off kids shouldn't get used to hand outs. Perhaps the kid with the special stationary needs to get used to not using her special stationary. This poster seems entitled and completely lacking in empathy.

miz_jen_lee avatar
Jennifer Lee
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone will STILL know who the poor kids are, only now the poor kids will be hated when they are seen carrying the expensive binders that the middle-income kids picked out. This is not going to create an atmosphere of equality. If you want kids to resent each other, this is definitely going to do that.

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Seana Camping
Community Member
1 year ago

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I have a child in elementary school, USA, age 8. We are given a specific list, including brand names, of items to buy. The teacher has these items in the class; the kids don't keep them in their desks, beyond the brand name pencils they all have. When it's time to use the construction paper, the teacher handles distribution. When it's time to water color paint, the teacher hands out supplies. I want to know how old this kid is. Is the child old enough to keep her "special" stuff in her backpack when it's not needed? Is the kid taunting other kids? Maybe the teacher wants everything uniform because it's the teacher's classroom and the teacher is in charge? I vote AH for trying to go against the flow for no good reason. Teacher needs a brand specific list. Then everyone gets the same high quality.

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Wondering Alice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Read it again - the kid is 9, no specific brand was suggested. The stationary was being redistributed. If the teacher wants everything uniform but lacks the budget, ask for a donation and buy same for everyone. Plenty of 9 year olds enjoy special stationery, plenty of 14 year olds can't look after a pen for a whole day. In the circumstance described, a child could arrive with high quality, but get it swapped for the lowest quality - I imagine that makes the poorest children stand out even more and get resented through no fault of their own.

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