Monday, August 20, 2012

School Supply Insanity

My son goes to a charter school and when I got his supply list I was honestly sick to my stomach.

It seems every year the supply lists for school get worse and worse. And my sons school this year is outrageous!!!

And as if the overall amount of stuff they want isn't enough... they are extremely brand and volume specific!!!

Throw in the fact that we still have to buy his textbooks, workbooks, reading books, project supplies as they approach those subjects and lessons throughout the year... and the school wants a "highly encouraged $500 donation". Plus of course book bag, uniforms and I'm about ready to scream.


With using coupons and going to 4 different stores we clocked in just under $190.00.

Here is the list for the items to bring on the first day of 6th grade for the 2012-2013 year:
  • 1 4oz Elmer's washable Gel school glue
  • 4 small Elmer's washable glue sticks (approx 1/4oz)
  • 1 roll of Scotch tape with plastic dispenser
  • 1 roll of masking tape (1" width)
  • 1 pair of Student-sized Fiskars or Wescott scissors (age 12+)
  • 1 family-sized (rectangular) box of Kleenex tissues
  • 6 rolls of Bounty paper towels
  • 3 containers of Clorox Wipes (35ct)
  • 1 8oz bottle of Dial antibacterial liquid hand soap
  • 1 12oz Lysol disinfecting spray (any scent)
  • 1 Glade Scented oil Plu-Ins refill (any scent)
  • 3 dozen #2 Ticonderoga pencils
  • 1 pencil sharpener with cover to catch shavings
  • 1 Papermate "Pink Pearl" eraser (2"x3/4")
  • 1 dz Bic Blue pens
  • 1 dz Bic Black pens
  • 1 dz Bic Red pens
  • 1 wooden ruler
  • 1 compass
  • 1 protractor w/ angle guide
  • 1 pkg of Daisy paper plates (at least 50ct)
  • 1 pkg of napkins (at least 250 ct)
  • 1 pkg of assorted plastic utensils (forks, knives and spoons at least 24 ct)
  • 1 pkg of 3x5 lined white index cards (100ct)
  • 1 pkg of 4x6 lined white index cards (100ct)
  • 1 pack of Crayola colored pencils (24ct)
  • 2 yellow highlighters
  • 2 black Sharpie markers
  • 12 Thick Expo dry erase markers (low order) (assorted colors)
  • 1 Expo dry erase eraser
  • 1 8oz bottle of Expo dry erase cleaner
  • 1 Vis a Vis overhead transparency marker
  • 1 box of gallon-size Ziploc bags
  • 1 pack of washable, thin "Classic Colors" Crayola markers
  • 1 pack of washable, thick "classic Colors" Crayola markers
  • 10 heavy duty page protectors
  • 6 large White posterboards
  • 1 large White foamboard
  • 3 pkgs of Mead wide ruled notebook paper (150 sheets)
  • 1 composition book -- not spiral (approc 9 3/4'x" 1/2", 100 sheets, black & white cover only)
  • 1 dz medium binder clips (1 1/4")
  • 1 dz large binder clips (2")
  • 1 box of small (regular size) paperclips (100ct)
  • 1 box of jumbo (large size) paperclips (100ct)
  • 1 box of standard staples 1/4", 5000ct)
  • 1 bottle of Wite-Out
  • 1 1-subject spiral notebook (any color)
  • 3 4oz pkgs of White Crayola Model Magic
  • 1 pack of construction paper (9":x12", at least 50 sheets, assorted colors)
  • 1 heavy-duty, white binder with clear overlay (3" size)
  • 1 ser of 5ct tabbed dividers
  • 1 pkg of graph paper with binder holes (8 1/2"x11", 50ct)
  • 1 box of medium size, non-latex, powder free gloves (100ct)
  • 2 blue folders with 3 prongs and 2 pockets (plastic/poly)
  • 2 yellow folders with 3 prongs and 2 pockets (plastic/poly)
  • 2 red folders with 3 prongs and 2 pockets (plastic/poly)
  • 2 green folders with 3 prongs and 2 pockets (plastic/poly)
  • 2 purple folders with 3 prongs and 2 pockets (plastic/poly)
  • 1 roll of Bounty paper towels (for the clinic)
Again, this is just what he needs to bring on the first day and doesn't include his textbooks and other stuff!

I realize every child is entitled to a free education but they also have to have the supplies to work... this is just excessive! Brand specific for #2 pencils?

I think if they plan to be this specific they should buy the items themselves and get a bulk discount and have each family pay a set amount. But then again it could work out worse since we wouldn't have coupons or be able to comparison shop.

I just can't help but think... this is too much. It's insane!