https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:09:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1849607 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 18:23:26 +0000 Boogs 1849607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not necessarily stock, but they ask for donations. If you go to local Targets they even have shopping lists and some teachers also have their own in their classrooms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1849239 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:08:44 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1849239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: for that specific report I'd have to dig deeper and see what they say. I knew Switzerland has higher wages, but I don't know if that's included. I agree that it'd be nice to have more detailed expenditures available! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1849122 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:42:52 +0000 HLK208 1849122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, which is not big deal to me since it's about $30 extra a year. My sister is a teacher a puts so much of her own money into her classroom...and she can barely afford anything for herself so I keep that in mind when buying those items. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1849113 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:38:49 +0000 looch 1849113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is why I think that data needs to be broken down, into categories, in order to make a valid comparison among countries. In Switzerland, for example, if you want to play in the band, you buy your own instrument. You also purchase all of your own textbooks, at every grade level. There are no buses, your commute entails walking, or taking public transportation that is paid for by your parents.</p> <p>Don't get me wrong, I think music education is a great thing to have, but if I have to make a choice in having my tax dollars go to instruments for the marching band or math manipulatives, I am choosing math manipulatives. As for helping my son's teacher stock her classroom, I can look up her salary online, but I will still send supplies exactly on the list, probably more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1849078 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:21:37 +0000 Anagram 1849078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Schools spend money on everything from teacher/administrator/staff salaries, to school lunches, to clerks to do all the attendance/ordering paperwork, to extra curricular activities (financing a school orchestra or school band is extremely expensive, as some instruments are expensive--like a baritone--but a band isn't complete without it) like sports, to maintenance men and vehicles.</p> <p>Just think about a typical school with a track and field--the school pays for the employees and the equipment (trucks, lawmowers, all kinds of other stuff I'm not thinking of) to maintain the courts and tracks and fields.</p> <p>Schools have to pay for lunch stuff, and electricity, and maintenance and repairs on the building, plus cleaning staff. Schools pay bills for recycling and trash removal. And then of course, schools pay massive amounts for curriculum, textbooks, online databases, and equipment ranging from pens and pencils, to student desks, to computers, to smart tablets. Schools have to pay for administrators to evaluate teachers and clerks to process and organize the evaluations and certificates of the teachers.</p> <p>Then there are the bus systems/staffing for that/ storage for busses/gas, etc.</p> <p>The list goes on, but it's no different than running a corporation staffed by adults--many expenses are incurred. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1849052 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:11:51 +0000 looch 1849052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: I want to know what the spending entails...is it mostly teacher salaries? The reason I ask is because Switzerland has a very high cost of living, so salaries there are high, compared to what they would be in the US. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1848786 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 10:16:32 +0000 mrs scrapbook 1848786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I agree. I'm just happy they give us anything at all. Hahaha. Fortunately, my kids are older, mostly juniors and seniors, many who work after school, so they are generally respectful of the supplies and try to be as mindful as possible when using them because they understand the cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1848712 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:41:40 +0000 sunny 1848712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: Thanks for posting that site! I had not heard of it but it looks really cool and I am excited to pick some projects to support. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847582 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:50:33 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1847582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: I want to state upfront that I'm not trying to change your mind at all, just clarifying what I said. When you said it was a difference of "curriculum &amp; education style" I think you're referring to my statement "Other countries have vastly different schooling systems &amp; education philosphies which plays a bigger part than money I think." Systems and philosophies are not the same thing at all as curriculum and education styles. So, we don't agree there.</p> <p>Also, I looked at the spending link you gave us. That's a very interesting test and gives us a lot of information. Switzerland and Norway outranked the US in Math, yet they spend *more* money than the United States on education. The problem I have with using graphics and quick skims of global testing is that it doesn't give a full picture. Like @Mrs. Lion: said, there are many, many factors at play when it comes to education (such as home life, size of a countries population, school systems, etc). I think it's unfair to say the US is spending too much money on things that don't work - although I think it's perfectly fair to say that there are some things in the US educational system that aren't working and our impacting our students - it's just more complex than money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847351 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:10:51 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1847351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: that assumes the problem with our education system is the schools directly, not home life, access to medical care, poverty, etc. there are too many factors to just say that spending money isnt working. </p> <p>I was a 4th grade teacher and we did ask for a box of tissues, a container of clorox wipes, and expo dry erase markers, in addition to the supplies the students would need. We also created a wish list of things that the teachers would like, but it wasnt required of every student. This would be things like sharpies, grading pens, a new pencil sharpener, etc. </p> <p>Our list was not nearly as extensive as some that have been posted, and the only thing we ever ran out of before the year was over was pencils...always the pencils. I think 4th graders eat them. (I kid, i kid ;) ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847342 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:06:36 +0000 Jess1483 1847342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If any of you are feeling particularly generous, there's an amazing site to donate to public schools, and you can find a classroom to support in your neighborhood (or close by, at least). It's called donorschoose.org, and I used it when I was teaching. You can specify the kind of classroom you want to help (% of free and reduced lunch, etc.) and find projects that teachers need help funding. Some of them are really basic (books for the classroom), and others are a bit more of a reach. I got a few projects funded through there and it was amazing. Also, if you are a big enough donor, or the last donor on a project, you get thank you letters and photos from the classroom. There's someone in charge of verifying the projects and making sure there's follow-through on the teacher's end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847341 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:05:40 +0000 sunny 1847341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: Do they take into account the lower COL in some of the countries? Quite honestly, I think looking at medians would also be more productive than looking at averages.</p> <p>I have read that math skills are lagging in America. I often wonder if that is not explained by teaching but more explained by American priorities and culture. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847325 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:57:12 +0000 Skadi 1847325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-education-spending-compared-to-the-rest-of-the-developed-world-2012-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.businessinsider.com/us-education-spending-compared-to-the-rest-of-the-developed-world-2012-1</a></p> <p>We are one of the top nations for k12 education spending, but we are in the bottom third for math. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847283 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:44:56 +0000 bushelandapeck 1847283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend of mine just sent her oldest to public kindergarten and told me she spent around $100 on the classroom supplies she was asked to provide. I think that's pretty typical in our area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847273 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:41:30 +0000 photojane 1847273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are certain items the students are asked to bring for the classroom like tissues, antibacterial, paper towels, etc. But, actual school supplies are bought individually. There's a suggested list for each school at all of the local grocery/box stores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area/page/2#post-1847258 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:35:45 +0000 BSB 1847258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up, we just had to supply our items (folders, pencils, crayons). I do know that teachers don't get paid enough and the budgets they have are always getting cut. (I'm not a teacher but a lot of my friends are.)</p> <p>I do find it weird to see some items on this list but then again I don't have a LO and don't know all the changes going on in schools. I talked to my teacher friend recently about how things have changed (no homemade treats, no halloween parades, no more chalk boards but now 'smart boards'). A lot of things have changed since I was a kid. </p> <p>I have contributed to some of my friends asking for donations for their classrooms. I will gladly help them out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1847234 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:29:05 +0000 sunny 1847234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow kudos to all you teachers. I had no idea that teachers spend so much of their own hard earned money on the students. </p> <p>@Skadi: doesn't that $10k figure include teacher salaries, facilities and supplies? That seems pretty reasonable to me given that public university tuition is probably around $20k. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846471 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 08:21:07 +0000 Jess1483 1846471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got $100 per year and a limited number of copies. It was the same number the middle school teachers (who had half the number of students) had! Luckily, when I did go over, the secretary just re-set them.<br /> My school wa brand new and I think the admin had really mixed up supply priorities, and didn't listen to much teacher input (a bit the second year). I didn't have any classroom books, organization of any kind, paper for kids to use, etc. I brought in most everything my kids used. It would have gotten better over time a I acquired things that could be reused, but even after years, I'd likely still have spent $300-$400 a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846406 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 07:34:52 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1846406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs scrapbook: That's not very much at all considering school supplies get abused and used up so quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846386 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 07:17:56 +0000 Anagram 1846386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: yup. I feel like (in my case anyway) that is very quickly used up before the school year even starts from buying supplies to decorate bulletin boards, some holiday decorations, posters for the walls, and personal office organization stuff (like the trays where the kids turn in homework--I've never had a school supply that stuff).</p> <p>Most schools I've worked in (I'm on my 4th school in the last 11 years) supply a stapler, a tape dispenser, a hole punch, 1 pack of sticky notes, and that's it.</p> <p>Luckily, as the librarian now, I get a slightly bigger budget to buy library supplies and I use some of that to buy the typical office/organization supplies for the circulation desk as well. But even that is an awfully small budget for keeping a school library running all year (supplies to repair and cover books)--I get about $300 total. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846307 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 05:48:58 +0000 mrs scrapbook 1846307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Yes, I believe up to $250 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846288 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 04:56:18 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1846288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs scrapbook: @Anagram: @Jess1483: and other teacher bees...Aren't you allowed to deduct supplies purchased for your class room from your income taxes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846279 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 03:30:21 +0000 Cherrybee 1846279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whaaaaaaaat???? NO! No!!!! </p> <p>Everything is provided here (UK) for 5-10 year olds. Crayons, pencils, glitter, glue sticks, everything..... you don't even have to provide your own exercise books/binders etc. White board markers???? Provided! And cleaning supplies?? WTF???? No, it's provided as part of the cleaning contract, y'know, the cleaners that come in and, umm, clean after school. </p> <p>This blows my mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846260 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 02:02:27 +0000 imbali 1846260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is so interesting - where I'm from, you get a list of stationary to bring every year and you have to pay for it all.. the school would never supply it! And I can't imagine the teachers buying stationary for the kids either :shocked: dedication! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846249 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 00:15:00 +0000 Skadi 1846249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: if it's just a difference in curriculum and education style, that proves my point--we are spending far more than anyone else in the world on stuff that doesn't work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846247 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 00:12:48 +0000 meganmp 1846247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: I tell ya, I use my projector every day. Not a cent was wasted on that thing. As for technology, if one of our goals as educators is to shape tech-literate individuals who can function within a project based environment, then I sure as he'll need computers. Not to say I get them, but they are by no means a waste.</p> <p>Sorry, threadjack over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846239 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:43:37 +0000 StbHisMrs 1846239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: No cleaning chemicals? What about a natural disinfectant, or essential oil that you can use to help disinfect? I'd go crazy not being able to clean on my own! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846228 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:26:13 +0000 meganmp 1846228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: Bwahahahahaha! Yeah right. Not for our school, but for the school I work at, I buy EVERYTHING, from pencils to paper to Kleenex to white board markers. Oh, and a pencil sharpener, because I dont even have a hand crank one. I'm up well over $300 already. Kids are supposed to bring in money, but I never, ever get enough to cover what I spend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846217 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:10:32 +0000 mrs scrapbook 1846217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the first time ever, I'm teaching in a school where you can ask for "classroom supplies". I felt a little weird about it, since I've only ever asked kids to supply items for their own personal use. And I try to ask for the bare minimum, since I know things can get expensive for parents. (For me, bare minimum is a binder, loose leaf, pens, pencils and a basic calculator - I teach high school science)</p> <p>But this new school also has 0 supplies for teachers. I had to buy everything on my own, including paper clips, expo markers, a stapler, push pins, even an eraser for my board. My classroom had nothing in the way of basic office supplies. They don't supply anything but copy paper and scantron test forms. That was new to me, usually we could get the basics from the school, although I always end up purchasing "extras" anyway!</p> <p>So, I asked each of my class periods to bring something different: pack of blue or black pens, pack of number two pencils, pack of loose leaf paper, roll of paper towels and box of tissues. </p> <p>It actually worked out really well, because I'm now fully stocked on all of those things, and each student had to buy just 1 additional item. I tried to pick things I knew they could buy at the dollar store or would have at home, so no one was too inconvenienced by the cost. </p> <p>For the kids who didn't/couldn't bring anything in, I didn't say anything. I figured if they couldn't bring in a roll of paper towels, I didn't need it that badly. And some kids brought in extra items (like the one mom who provided each teacher with a bottle of anti bacterial lotion - love her!) It all evens out in the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-school-do-parents-stock-the-classroom-with-supplies-in-your-area#post-1846130 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 21:32:29 +0000 wonderstruck 1846130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom is an elementary school teacher, and this isn't how it works in her school. However, she teaches an an area where many families are struggling to make ends meet and they often have kids who need help just having clothes that fit the dress code, a warm coat in winter, etc. So asking their parents to spend a bunch of money on school supplies, particularly communal ones, just isn't happening. Of course, the budget the school gives each classroom is also pathetically low, meaning that the funds for most of her classroom supplies come out of her own pocket. </p>