Almost Time for School: Shopping for School Supplies

@kareng (77299)
United States
July 27, 2024 5:40pm CST
Wow, July is almost over! Where did it go to? Children will be returning to school down here in both Louisiana and Mississippi. It seems like we just got finished with end of school events and ceremonies! One of my daughters has been having fits trying to find the school supplies for her son. They have a list of specifics. This teacher is requiring certain colored notebooks for a specific class, a specific brand of notebook which totals right at $15 for a first grade student! I think at that age it is dumb to require specifics like that. I can see it in higher up grades with the notebook, but not first grade! They also requested that each student bring 3 boxes of Kleenex. 3???!! Wow. She will have a big stockpile there. Her daughter hasn't gotten her list yet and I hope it is not as challenging. She has already spent $100 on this silly list. Do your kids or grandkids have silly things on their school supply list too? Photo Credit: Pixabay
15 people like this
13 responses
@Deepizzaguy (111701)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Jul
My youngest nephew graduated from high school earlier this year so it appears that he will not be going to college this year.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
Did he decide to forego college?
1 person likes this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
30 Jul
@Deepizzaguy Maybe he will change his mind! I imagine that is scary for him.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (111701)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Jul
@kareng Yes he is autistic.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (192507)
• United States
28 Jul
I just saw a sign on the school that it starts August 8. That seems incredibly early to me.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
Yes!! Same here, very early. I don't know what changed?
1 person likes this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
30 Jul
@snowy22315 Yes, still in the high 90's. I fear for those kids in sports. Football practice has already started and the heat is too high for that outdoors!
@snowy22315 (192507)
• United States
29 Jul
@kareng I think it doesn't make any sense, especially here in the South it is still beastly hot then in most cases.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57753)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Jul
Here, teachers are having to spend their own money with a lot of the supplies as it is, so anything we can provide is gladly appreciated (especially for the silly stuff which is actually VERY needed). Kleenex, paper towels, baby wipes, liquid soap, paper plates, etc . . . and the teachers tell me they go through all of that like crazy. Luckily in middle school the teachers didn't exactly have a list, but many of them set up a wishlist of needed items online.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
I agree on essentials, but having to have certain colors and brands of things is not right. So many on limited incomes now.
1 person likes this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
1 Aug
@much2say True and then may not find them still! So frustrating!
1 person likes this
@much2say (57753)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Jul
@kareng These specific items might not be available as well - and then one has to go on the hunt for them .
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (78774)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Jul
I don't have any children, but I don't recall odd things like that when getting school supplies. Then again, as I lost my vision, my school provided what I needed.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
The world has just gone crazy!
1 person likes this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
30 Jul
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (78774)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Jul
@kareng I know what you mean.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (119012)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Jul
I would refuse to buy something like that even if I have the money. 15 is too much for a notebook. Glad mine are grown and son gets to worry about that now
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
My daughter found another brand that was just like the one requested for around $5. She bought that one. She also found her daughter's notebook from 1st grade, same request and it was only used for 3-4 pages. She said she will tear pages out and send that one if the teacher says anything about the other notebook. I would of just done that to begin with and saved the $5. Ha!
1 person likes this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
30 Jul
@wolfgirl569 Things are just getting worse as every day passes
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (119012)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Jul
@kareng I would have saved the 5 too
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (194083)
• United States
28 Jul
I think requirements for a first grade student should be less restrictive. The teacher must be expecting a lot of snotty noses in the class. We don't have any children.. Have a good day.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
30 Jul
@LindaOHio For real!! I'd go off on some if I had kids and had to buy school supplies with the silly requirements these days!
1 person likes this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
It's the $15 notebook for 1st grade and specific colors of notebooks, etc. that irk me!!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (194083)
• United States
30 Jul
@kareng I don't blame you. It's ridiculous.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (164673)
• United States
28 Jul
I do not have anyone with a list. I bought some things I want to use. When kids get sick they go through a lot of tissues. Here, as it gets close to school time, there are some really good sales. Most classes at elementary request certain color folders--each one usually costs less than a quarter. They are used for different topics. I usually work with the older elementary and they do want a five subject spiral notebook.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
A regular 5 subject notebook is standard, but not one for 1st grade that costs $15!! That is crazy!!
@AmbiePam (100339)
• United States
1 Aug
First grade and they are THAT specific? That seems pretty picky.
1 person likes this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
1 Aug
Yes! Crazy!!
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (38030)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jul
Back in the day when I was in school, we always started the year either a little before Labor Day or right after Labor Day.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
Yes, it was always September!
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (54144)
• Canada
27 Jul
Here the schools list their teacher's requirements for back to school at Staples, and that is where the parents shop for the 'right' items. I can understand the need for so many tissues, covid is still among us. I buy tissues in a cube with 6 boxes for $3.33 when they go on sale, so I am always stocked on those even though there is nobody going back to school here and the twins are only 2 so too young.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
Yes tissues and paper towels are totally understandable. It's the $15 notebook that gets me for a 1st grader!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (86779)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Jul
My parents were lucky when I went to school we did not have lists. What was needed was a looseleaf binder and paper and tabs in different colors for each class, Some additional notebooks but nothing major,
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
Yes, and everything was together in one place. No forgetting xyz notebook for homework!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358103)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jul
That does sound over the top for such young classes. I wouldn't mind betting she doesn't have kids of her own.
2 people like this
@kareng (77299)
• United States
29 Jul
I agree with you! If she does, only one!!
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (123560)
• United States
28 Jul
I'm done with providing tissues for students after this past year's group of students.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (164673)
• United States
28 Jul
That is the thing. . . all the kids use them and all should bring them but inevitably there are families that do not bring any of the shared items.
1 person likes this