How much do you spend on school supplies? UPDATE & more questions

[bubbaray]

UPDATE:

OK, so I was talking to some other parents at drop off this morning. People are pretty outraged at the $46 cost, particularly if they have more than 1 child at the school and recalling that this year's price was $30.

Here is the list;

report covers (9 in specific colors)
exercise books (1 each of plain and 1/2 interlined, 2 ruled with margin so 4 total)
yellow highlighter (1)
Crayola fine washable markers (12 pack)
Crayola thick washable markers (8 pack)
Crayola colored pencils (24 pack)
glue stick (2)
HB #2 pencils (12 pack)
dry erase fine marker (1)
white eraser (2)
facial tissues
Ziploc jumbo bag (1)

The price for all of that $40, plus the agenda ($6). Extras (which I'm not sure why they can't re-use this years) include 5" blunt scissors, plastic ruler, pencil sharpener, pencil box.

I have most of the above list already in my school supply stash.

How much would you figure the above list would cost at either Target or Walmart (in the US)? I'm estimating under $20. TIA

************************************************** *********************************
How much do you spend on school supplies for your primary-grade child in public school? I'm talking about stationary supplies, not clothing.

TIA

[egoldber]

Total each year, they ask for about $20-$30 worth of supplies (paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, binders, markers, glue sticks, etc.)

Next year they need a dictionary, thesaurus and a simple scientific calculator, so it will probably be closer to $50.

[KrisM]

Our lists are generic enough that I can buy things on sale and I spend about $10 or so.

[egoldber]

I think in part it depends on how long your lists are. I just looked at the 5th grade list and was :eek:

• 1 D-Ring Binder sized 1 ½ - 2 inches -- No Trapper Keepers, please.
• 4 dividers for Binder
• 2 marble notebooks
• 1 spiral notebook (approximately 100 pages)
• 2 packages of notebook paper (wide rule)—keep one package at home
• #2 lead pencils (as needed)
• 1 box blue or black ink pens (more may be requires as the year goes on)
• 1 box of red ink pens
• 1 box of colored pencils (12 colors, sharpened)
• 1 pencil sharpener with cover to catch the shavings
• 2 highlighters
• 1 pack 3 x 5 inch index cards (to be turned in for whole class use)
• 1 clipboard
• 1 pair student scissors—Fiskar type
• 1 dictionary (preferably paperback)
• 1 thesaurus (preferably paperback)
• 1 Elmer’s glue 4 oz. bottle
• 1 glue stick
• 1 soft-sided pencil case large enough to hold math supplies and pencils

Math Supplies
• 1 compass (make sure it lasts the year)
• 1 protractor
• 1 calculator with square root, percent, exponent, and pi function keys

Class Supplies (to be shared)
• 1 small box of ¾” band aids
• 1 large box Kleenex tissues (not boutique sized)
• Last names ending in A-M, bring 1 large plastic bottle of Clorox wipes
• Last names ending in N-Z, bring 1 roll of paper towels


ETA: And it's not on the supply list, but I KNOW they need a flash drive to bring work between school and home. They also assume you have an internet connected computer with access to software like Word and Powerpoint.

[JBaxter]

$30. Our PTA does Back to School Boxes and you can pre-order. It specific for your child's grade/teacher. I pick it up on back to school night. Its awesome. No more running around for some obscure item your teacher requests. The exact folders/binders pencils crayons etc are all packed up in a nifty little carry box.

[o_mom]

Kindergarten there are no supply lists. First grade we spent $20 (if we ordered through the school it is about $35).

[marie]

I think we are not the norm here (at the BBB), but so far we haven't had to supply anything (public K & 1st). I imagine 2nd will be the same since 1st & 2nd are combined.

[Twoboos]

$30. Our PTA does Back to School Boxes and you can pre-order. It specific for your child's grade/teacher. I pick it up on back to school night. Its awesome. No more running around for some obscure item your teacher requests. The exact folders/binders pencils crayons etc are all packed up in a nifty little carry box.

We did this for the first time this year. Except I had to talk DDs down from all the add'l stuff that was listed in the flyer!! (Backpacks, water bottles, etc..)

I think they were around $25 (K) and $30 (1).

[stefani]

Here it is $40 to $50 each year through the PTA. I supposed it can be cheaper if I buy each item individually, but I thought it would just make it easier to have the PTA package.

[Jo]

Public Pre-K was $45...the list was HUGE.

For K they gave you the option of buying your own or paying $50 for the package all put together. I just bought the package because getting the Pre-K supplies was so frustrating (after 3 stores I still could not get everything exactly as specified).

FWIW we live in an awesome top-ranked school district and I suspect that plays a role in the huge supply list. The kids have everything they need, and then some.

[SnuggleBuggles]

$10? But we don't really need to pay for anything, I just always buy some extra pencils and paper for home. Ds1's charter school buys everything for the kids. Sometimes they ask us to voluntarily send something in (like they send out a class wide request for a pack of dry erase markers)- there is not obligation to do it.

For ds1's private k I remember paying a lot more.

eta- when ds2 was in 2nd grade parents were paying for supplies and they did that prepacked supply kit. They were so handy!

Beth

[erosenst]

Our PTA does Back to School Boxes and you can pre-order. It specific for your child's grade/teacher. I pick it up on back to school night. Its awesome. No more running around for some obscure item your teacher requests. The exact folders/binders pencils crayons etc are all packed up in a nifty little carry box.

Same here. Next year (2nd) is $36. Last year was $45. It varies by year. I'm sure I could probably save a little money running around - but this way it's done, which is worth a lot to me.

[hillview]

Nada -- Montessori school just had gallon size ziploc bags.
/hillary

[mikeys_mom]

Wow! We pay way more than most people. I knew it was bad but didn't realize how bad it was.

I just pre-ordered grade 2 supplies for DS through the parent's association at our school. It came to $125. That includes a dictionary, pencil case and plastic craft box for supplies. Plus, there were a few items on the supply list not included in the order so I'll probably spend another $20ish.

He's in a private school with a double curriculum - Hebrew immersion plus the standard provincial program, so we probably use a few more duotangs and notebooks, but certainly not 3 times as much.

[MelissaTC]

Our school kit this year will be $57 for fourth grade. Totally hitting the sales and saving the money. I spent $25 last year.

[s7714]

I'd say about $25 average per child for beginning of the year supplies, but I easily spend another $200+ over the course of the year donating additional supplies to the teachers. I try to stock up on things like glue sticks during the sales, which I know the teachers will need through out the year, but you can only store so many supplies!

Our PTA doesn't do the supply bundle thing that many schools apparently do.

[nupe]

$45-50 for the PTA package, Plus a list that will probably run $10-15, including kleenex and 3 ring binders.

[new_mommy25]

Our school doesn't do PTA boxes. I don't know the exact amount but I'm guessing about $50-60. DS needed composition books (25 cents on sale), erasers, pencils, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, sharpies, etc - all stuff that is relatively inexpensive when on sale. But DS also needed a water bottle to keep at his desk. I bought a camelbak which was $10-15. He needed a flash drive which was $10. There were a few other big ticket items I can't recall.

We haven't gotten our list for the upcoming school year. I don't really mind buying the supplies. I kind of enjoy back to school shopping, labeling everything, and so forth. I'm weird. :lol:

[WatchingThemGrow]

This will be interesting to see when we start in Aug...

When I taught K at the school DD will be attending, it was emphasized that "free public education" meant that we were not allowed to ask for items. I went out and bought stuff on my own and got reimbursed by the generous PTA. There was a "voluntary contribution" of $25 per family that parents could donate to the classrooms. It was awesome as a teacher to be able to buy whatever school supplies we needed with that "free" money. Granted, that "free public education" assumes you've already purchased a $350K-600K home, lol.

[Puddy73]

For Pre-k, Kindy and 1st grade, probably about $30 per year for their personal supplies. Teachers also issue "wish list" for the classroom that parents are encouraged to contribute to. The wish list includes items such as tissues, paper towels, sanitizing wipes, hand soap, etc.

[Kungjo]

We spend $45 to $55 depending on the child and grade level. Our PTA coordinates the school supplies with a supplier so we don't have to run around from store to store looking for the products on the lists.

It may be more expensive than buying them indiviually when they are on sale, but it's worth it to not have to waste time and gas driving around in the heat.

[crl]

We do not get lists. We do get a wish list from the teacher after school starts. The wish list includes all sorts of things. This year I went in with another parent and bought a rug from Ikea for the classroom.

I'd say I usually spend about $25 on the wish list. And around $10 on crayons, pencils, etc for homework.

Catherine

[g-mama]

If you buy it through the PTA, it costs anywhere from $48 to $67, depending on the grade.

I usually buy it myself and I save a little off that price, but not that much.

[vludmilla]

$30. Our PTA does Back to School Boxes and you can pre-order. It specific for your child's grade/teacher. I pick it up on back to school night. Its awesome. No more running around for some obscure item your teacher requests. The exact folders/binders pencils crayons etc are all packed up in a nifty little carry box.

Yeah, DD is going to K in September and our PTA does this too but the box costs $65!!! I think it is INSANE but there is major pressure to participate and all the kids come in to find them on their desk and they imply that kids get upset if they don't have the box. I'm grumpy about it.

[bisous]

For the first year for DS the list was quite long and specific but I still spent less than $20 (Jr. Kindergarten). The second year, I got a nice short list with "basics" like pencils and washable markers. I easily fulfilled his list for under $10....

AND THEN I got the "school supplies" donation request...

for $300 per child. I'm in an extremely wealthy section of California so they expect this to be doable for most of the families and have no real resources to draw upon from their state budgets! Still...

This is the school that request over $1000 in donations from the parents within the first month and half of school. And yes it is public school!

[bubbaray]

Thanks everyone!

I just found out that our PTA supplies are going to be $46 next year, including a $6 (mandatory) planner (so $40 for supplies). That is a $10 jump from this year and a $20 jump from Kindy (though, to be fair, Kindy was only 2.5 hrs a day). I thought it was out of line, but apparently not.

I think I could purchase what they need for about $10-$15 at Target or Walmart in the US. But, then again, DD#1 would be horrified to not get the same supplies as the other kids. By far the majority of the kids do the PTA supply purchase AFAIK. I've supported the program in the past, but the fees seem super high this year (they've switched suppliers). I'm friends with the Treasurer, so I'm gonna ask her next time I see her.

[DebbieJ]

I buy my own for the cost savings (vs. buying the PTO package). I spent maybe $15 for first grade.

This year I am also going to buy extra at back to school time when things are on sale. DS's classroom pools several of the items and they ran out of glue sticks around February this year. I also donated extra boxes of Kleenex and Clorox Wipes part-way through the year because I follow sales and coupons and was able to get them very very cheap (and we didn't need them at home).

[bubbaray]

bumping for update

[KrisM]

Here is the list;

report covers (9 in specific colors)
exercise books (1 each of plain and 1/2 interlined, 2 ruled with margin so 4 total)
yellow highlighter (1)
Crayola fine washable markers (12 pack)
Crayola thick washable markers (8 pack)
Crayola colored pencils (24 pack)
glue stick (2)
HB #2 pencils (12 pack)
dry erase fine marker (1)
white eraser (2)
facial tissues
Ziploc jumbo bag (1)

The price for all of that $40, plus the agenda ($6). Extras (which I'm not sure why they can't re-use this years) include 5" blunt scissors, plastic ruler, pencil sharpener, pencil box.

I have most of the above list already in my school supply stash.

How much would you figure the above list would cost at either Target or Walmart (in the US)? I'm estimating under $20. TIA


I'm not sure what report covers are and I'm not sure on the first 2 exercise books, but the rest is about $10-15 tops, if you get them on sale. Markers and colored pencils are $1, glue sticks are 2/$.25, pencils are $.50. The others are a bit more, but still not much. If you're willing to hit a couple stores, probably $10 at the high end. REgular lined notebooks are $.50 each.

We reuse everything we can. I clean out the pencil box, check that the scissors aren't too dull, etc.

[bubbaray]

report covers = duotangs. Not sure what you call them there? They have prongs for 3-hole punch paper (which, strangely, is not on the list).

The exercise books are like this: http://www.edupac.ca/products/72-Page-Interlined-Exercise-Book-Hilroy.html

I've seen them on back to school sales, even up here, for $0.25 each.

[egoldber]

I would say a max of $20 even if not shopping sales. I certainly re-use supplies from year to year, things like pencil cases and scissors don't generally need replacing every year. Although older DD did manage to break hers one year.

[connor_mommy]

Our class kits range from $41 to $73 for the 6th grade. $5 for that goes to the PTA. I enjoy shopping for school supplies and wanted to do a comparison. The kit for 1st grade was $56 and I spent $42. This didn't include a backpack and water bottle. All of ours were still in good condition, so we're reusing till there are holes. I got everything on sale. What cost us the most were the glue sticks. They wanted the larger sized ones. The ones that never go on sale and 12 of them.

[SnuggleBuggles]

report covers (9 in specific colors): $5
exercise books (1 each of plain and 1/2 interlined, 2 ruled with margin so 4 total) $4
yellow highlighter (1) $2
Crayola fine washable markers (12 pack) $2
Crayola thick washable markers (8 pack) $2
Crayola colored pencils (24 pack) $3
glue stick (2) $2
HB #2 pencils (12 pack) $4
dry erase fine marker (1) $2
white eraser (2) $1
facial tissues $3
Ziploc jumbo bag (1) $4

My guess is $34

You aren't obligated to buy the school one, right?

Beth

[mom2binsd]

UPDATE:

OK, so I was talking to some other parents at drop off this morning. People are pretty outraged at the $46 cost, particularly if they have more than 1 child at the school and recalling that this year's price was $30.

Here is the list;

report covers (9 in specific colors)
exercise books (1 each of plain and 1/2 interlined, 2 ruled with margin so 4 total)
yellow highlighter (1)
Crayola fine washable markers (12 pack)
Crayola thick washable markers (8 pack)
Crayola colored pencils (24 pack)
glue stick (2)
HB #2 pencils (12 pack)
dry erase fine marker (1)
white eraser (2)
facial tissues
Ziploc jumbo bag (1)

The price for all of that $40, plus the agenda ($6). Extras (which I'm not sure why they can't re-use this years) include 5" blunt scissors, plastic ruler, pencil sharpener, pencil box.

I have most of the above list already in my school supply stash.

How much would you figure the above list would cost at either Target or Walmart (in the US)? I'm estimating under $20. TIA

************************************************** *********************************
How much do you spend on school supplies for your primary-grade child in public school? I'm talking about stationary supplies, not clothing.

TIA

I did my own shopping this year, for almost that exact list, I think I had one or two "tablet's" that I had to buy and dry erase markers, and my total was about 25.00 US vs the school made kit which was about 40.00.

[s7714]

OK, so I was talking to some other parents at drop off this morning. People are pretty outraged at the $46 cost, particularly if they have more than 1 child at the school and recalling that this year's price was $30.

Are you guys required to buy the kits or something? Frankly I don't see what the issue is otherwise.

ETA: I see your post about kids being disappointed in not receiving the same supplies. Are the supply kits off-brand items so it'd be that easy to tell?

[bubbaray]

Are you guys required to buy the kits or something? Frankly I don't see what the issue is otherwise.

ETA: I see your post about kids being disappointed in not receiving the same supplies. Are the supply kits off-brand items so it'd be that easy to tell?


The principal sent home a strongly worded letter saying they wanted the parents to buy the kits. That letter, and my subsequent email exchange with the principal with respect to whether we are getting non-consumables returned to us at the end of the year, really leaves the impression that parents should purchase the kits.

Note that the schools are UNABLE to force parents to purchase anything that is required for instruction. The lawyer in me is rather pi$$ed about this -- if the kits are required, then technically on the wording the applicable court case, the district is is required to provide them. If the kits are not required, give me the freakin' list and let me decide which to do -- kits or on my own.

I'm doing the list. Maybe it will be close in cost, maybe it will be less, dunno. I wanna try and see how it goes. If I'm the only one, so be it. I'm sure I can toss in a few sparkly pencils and cute things and DD#1 won't care. I've already run this by her and she seems not to care. She loves to shop, so she'll probably like to go with me to get the stuff.

The agendas are "required" and, again, the rebel in me wants to know what happens if a parent simply refuses to purchase them. If they are required, the school should provide them. Its unlikely that I will push that issue over a $6 agenda, but it still makes me snarly.

ETA: Kits are all brand name stuff. Easy to find.

[jenstring95]

We have 25 things on our list for kindergarten. 25. That doesn't include multiples of the stuff either. They are supposed to have 8 glue sticks and 6 boxes of crayons. Apparently these will be used as snacks as well as school supplies. How else could they go through so much? The pack through school is $39. I'm sure I will regret it, but I'm going to try to hunt the stuff down myself. Most of the stuff will be easy, but I'm sure I will be cursing "blue plastic pocket folder with brads" and "8.5"x11" story tablet (1/2" rule, red baseline, and dotted midline)". This list is VERY specific!

[bubbaray]

We have 25 things on our list for kindergarten. 25. That doesn't include multiples of the stuff either. They are supposed to have 8 glue sticks and 6 boxes of crayons. Apparently these will be used as snacks as well as school supplies. How else could they go through so much? The pack through school is $39. I'm sure I will regret it, but I'm going to try to hunt the stuff down myself. Most of the stuff will be easy, but I'm sure I will be cursing "blue plastic pocket folder with brads" and "8.5"x11" story tablet (1/2" rule, red baseline, and dotted midline)". This list is VERY specific!


Doesn't it just make you want to buy something that is close but not.quite.right? Seriously. The list I have specifies colors. Makes me just want to send all the WRONG colors just to thumb my nose at them. Here's your freakin' duotangs/report covers. Deal with it.

[abh5e8]

We have 25 things on our list for kindergarten. 25. That doesn't include multiples of the stuff either. They are supposed to have 8 glue sticks and 6 boxes of crayons. Apparently these will be used as snacks as well as school supplies. How else could they go through so much? The pack through school is $39. I'm sure I will regret it, but I'm going to try to hunt the stuff down myself. Most of the stuff will be easy, but I'm sure I will be cursing "blue plastic pocket folder with brads" and "8.5"x11" story tablet (1/2" rule, red baseline, and dotted midline)". This list is VERY specific!

i would guess they are trying to get the children to bring enough extra to cover the children whose parents dont' send any.

[bubbaray]

So, I roamed around the online website of the kit provider. Looked at all the other schools in our particular district and their lists for G2.

Our school was the highest -- by FAR. I compared other exact programs (French Immersion) in a similar or even more affluent area (that school's kit cost $22). I compared a school in the MOST affluent area of our district -- kit was $29. Only 3 other schools were over $30.

I just sent the principal a reply saying that if uniformity of supplies was paramount for the teachers, perhaps their supply lists could be more in line with what the other schools in the district were using. I'm sure that will get me on the $h!t list, but whatever.

[crl]

Doesn't it just make you want to buy something that is close but not.quite.right? Seriously. The list I have specifies colors. Makes me just want to send all the WRONG colors just to thumb my nose at them. Here's your freakin' duotangs/report covers. Deal with it.

I am so the snarly type over things like this too. But I would guess the color thing is a system the teacher will use to help the kids be organized. So, "get out your yellow math folder."

Catherine

[MelissaTC]

Our school wants the kids to use a specific agenda but they provide it. Being a private school, I am sure the cost is passed on to me via the book fee but whatever. I am not charged outright for it so it doesn't irritate me as much.

[egoldber]

But I would guess the color thing is a system the teacher will use to help the kids be organized. So, "get out your yellow math folder."

:yeahthat:

Generally it's something like green for science, red for math, etc.

[o_mom]

report covers (9 in specific colors) - Assuming these are three prong folders? Around $.25 each at Walmart
exercise books (1 each of plain and 1/2 interlined, 2 ruled with margin so 4 total) - No idea what plain or 1/2 interlined are... are these like spiral bound notebooks or composition books? Spiral bound notebooks are $.15 each at Walmart or Target, composition books were $1
yellow highlighter (1) - Jumbo one at Walgreens - $0.09 BTS sale
Crayola fine washable markers (12 pack) - Walmart or Target BTS price $2
Crayola thick washable markers (8 pack) - Walmart or Target BTS price $2
Crayola colored pencils (24 pack) - Walmart or Target BTS - $2.84
glue stick (2) - Jumbo glue sticks - Staples $1 ea, regular size Target/Walmart - $0.20
HB #2 pencils (12 pack) - Target - 48 pencils for $1.88
dry erase fine marker (1) - 4 pack $3.44 at Walmart
white eraser (2) - $0.29 at Walgreens
facial tissues - $1.25 at Target
Ziploc jumbo bag (1) - no idea what one costs, but a whole box is $1 at the dollar store

The price for all of that $40, plus the agenda ($6). Extras (which I'm not sure why they can't re-use this years) include 5" blunt scissors, plastic ruler, pencil sharpener, pencil box.

I have most of the above list already in my school supply stash.

How much would you figure the above list would cost at either Target or Walmart (in the US)? I'm estimating under $20. TIA



These are the prices I paid last year in USD - I come in at about $15.50 for the list. It might be slightly more because some things were in multipacks (4 pack of dry erase, for example), but I would think $20 would easily get you this list minus the agenda. ETA: probably even less because I just read that you can get the exercise books for $.25 and I figured $2.30 for two comp books and two notebooks.

[bubbaray]

Thanks ladies.

I know, the colored report covers/folders are for specific subjects. I think its how they will be organizing worksheets, etc..

Hmm, the exercise books are not spiral bound, nor are they the hard-bound composition books. They are only 72pgs, and are stapled in the middle. Like this: http://www.edupac.ca/products/72-Page-Interlined-Exercise-Book-Hilroy.html Interlined means 2 solid lines and dotted lines in the middle -- they print the tall letters between the 2 solid lines and the round letters (a's, c's, etc) only up to the dotted lines. The teachers want 2 such books with lines on the whole page, one book that is blank/no lines and one book that is 1/2 blank and 1/2 lined (for journals).

I'll be a good girl and get what they want, but darn it, I'm not doing the kit. Just on principal now that I've figured out that we're the highest cost school (and not the most affluent area). The next-closest French Immersion school is in a more affluent area and our kit costs nearly double what theirs costs (not factoring in the agenda).

I am very very tempted to send a red dry erase marker instead of a black one.

[tabegle]

Thanks ladies.

I know, the colored report covers/folders are for specific subjects. I think its how they will be organizing worksheets, etc..

Hmm, the exercise books are not spiral bound, nor are they the hard-bound composition books. They are only 72pgs, and are stapled in the middle. Like this: http://www.edupac.ca/products/72-Page-Interlined-Exercise-Book-Hilroy.html Interlined means 2 solid lines and dotted lines in the middle -- they print the tall letters between the 2 solid lines and the round letters (a's, c's, etc) only up to the dotted lines. The teachers want 2 such books with lines on the whole page, one book that is blank/no lines and one book that is 1/2 blank and 1/2 lined (for journals).

I'll be a good girl and get what they want, but darn it, I'm not doing the kit. Just on principal now that I've figured out that we're the highest cost school (and not the most affluent area). The next-closest French Immersion school is in a more affluent area and our kit costs nearly double what theirs costs (not factoring in the agenda).

I am very very tempted to send a red dry erase marker instead of a black one.

:bighand::bighand::bighand::bighand::jammin:

You rock! Good for you.