The first day..... $300.00
By di1159
@di1159 (1580)
United States
August 21, 2008 5:58am CST
My kids just started school and I received the supply lists for both of them. Usually we wait before purchasing since we have a lot of extra school supplies in the house so we usually "shop" in the garage where I have a large bin filled with pens, pencils, paper etc., etc. My issue is that the both need a certain calculator for math. I priced them at Office Depot. My daughter's is on "sale" for $129.99 and my son's is $138.00. They are both different models of a Texas Instrument calculator and we need two since they both need them for class and they are in different schools. Oh, and I need them by tomorrow! Anyone else getting hit with expensive school supplies?
2 responses
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Sadly schools are requiring students to purchase their own calculators anymore because they are expensive. Those are those high priced ones that can do a lot of special different things. You probably won't be able to find them for any cheaper than that either.
I'm in college myself and I'm doing student teaching this semester so on top of all of the books that I had to buy that are outrageously priced, I do have to buy a lot of my own teaching supplies as well so I definitely am hit with high prices every year when it comes to stuff.
1 person likes this
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
21 Aug 08
I feel for you! I have several friends who are school teachers and have described similar situations. They have to pay for a lot their own basic supplies because the schools are not providing them anymore. They need to rely on parental donations and their own pocketbooks. You are right about the calculators doing a lot of things. It even has a USB cord to connect to the computer. I had trouble just finding the addition and substraction signs! Well, I did get a discount at Office Depot and the manufacturer has an additional mail in rebate, so it's not going to be $300.00 but its still a lot for a middle school student. Now I'm going to engrave their names onto the back so that they don't "disappear." Good luck to you on your teaching! Thanks for commenting!
@dagda24 (366)
•
21 Aug 08
Wow, that's a lot for a calculator. When I was at school (I'm 24 now) we only needed a calculator with basic mathematical functions, then some of the more technical ones. I think the most I ever spent on one was £25 pounds. With the conversion rate at the moment that would make it around $30.00USD, so the price you have been quoted seems REALLY steep. Is there not another brand that has the same functions as the reccommended one? When I was at school every one had different makes of calculator.
I'd try talking to the schools aout it as this seems odd. Also, when I was at school they did keep a stock of the calculators to lend to people that didn't have them or had forgotten them.
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Good Idea. I'm writing the teachers a note now for them to take and see if there is a "generic" brand which does the same functions. They have asked for a particular brand and model number which I haven't been able to find anywhere but Office Dept. I'm going to inquire to see if they have any loaners at school. Thanks for the idea!