From my cold dead hands...
Posted on 08/11/2008 8:41:29 AM PDT by Turret Gunner A20
When we went to catholic school in socal, we started the day after Labor Day and went until the middle of June. When I got there I was half a year ahead of the other seventh graders.
When did this start.. this communnal dumping of supplies?
Back when I was in grade school (around the late 1970s early 1980s) we never did that? Thats crazy..
I would not think of taking supplies that were bought by a parent or child.
I estimate that I buy about $400 worth of various supplies for the school year. The great majority of the material is supplied by the school system.
Each individual teacher does require certain supplies for class.
The only supplies I require are book covers for their text books, a binder to put all their notes and assignments in, and something to write with.
The NE ends their school year in mid June and start up again right after Labor Day.
The South finishes up their school year in mid May and start up in mid August.
This goes on at my kids’ school. When I was in school, you borrowed what you didn’t have, if the owner allowed it, and then gave it back later. Developing relationships, reputations, and all that...
Now, nobody needs to be accountable for anything. They just take from the pot.
As long as they get the full three months. Although June through the end of August is ideal.
Normally I would not post an article this old. It's been at least a year since Neal wrote this, but I think it is a good concept for discussion. I espcially like how he used this as an opportunity to educate another adult so that they saw it in a different light. It seems people make mistakes not out of malice but out of ignorance. Part of the reason teachers do this is to prevent the embarrassment of those whose parents cannot afford school supplies. Unfortunately in the process of not wanting to hurt one group, they hurt another.
Stopped reading this drek propaganda right here.
Best way I can think of to stay stupid -- Don't read something, but nevertheless promounce it "drek propoganda". If you believe that our teachers are so horrible, become one and do it the right way. I see now reason to reply to someone who doesn't have the foggiesst notion of what he/she/it is talking about (because he/she/it is tood dumb to read wht it's all about. Pleasse don't address me on this subject any further -- or at least read the article before you do, so that you might have something intelligent to say.
For those adults reading thins, look around at the next meeting you attend, how many people come in without what they need, or a pen runs out, or they need more paper. A good facilitator has these items available for all so that the flow of the meeting is not disturbed and people can continue to work and contribute
Perhaps so -- but IT IS THEIR STUFF to lose -- it does not belong to someone else to use or lose.
Many schools are going to a beginning of August start so that first semester ends before Christmas break. Our system is considering it also, partly because it would be so helpful for the standardized testing and college applications.
It's sporadic throughout classes, schools, systems, states, but it is NOT a nationwide practice.
Makes for good flaming though doesn't it?
Usually the first couple months the kids are pretty good at bringing their supplies. At the end of the school day I walk around the classroom and any pencils or pens that are on the floor, I collect and put them in a (SHOCK) cigar box. The kids know anything in the box can be used if they forget or have lost their pencils.
As you said there are some kids that have difficulty getting supplies. I have book covers available for any student who was not able to get them.
With all the dollar stores around our area, pencils/pens are not much of a problem. The same with the binders.
excellent response! thank you...
My school circumvented this problem completely by supplying all students with supplies.
A school cannot, by federal law, force a parent/child to buy supplies for school. I can recommend them, but not outright demand.
I gave each of my kids in my homeroom a 3 ring binder today. There are Post-It notes in the back, along with paper and highlighters for when we need them. The only thing I will not supply them with is a pencil/pen. As someone has pointed out, a good facilitator does provide for those who need it, when needed.
The only collective then, comes from the school already, not from other parents.
A cigar box? that's great! I should get one of my husband's and use it!
it used to be that way here in California, too... i remember starting school after Labor Day... usually the next day... then when i was in high school, we began one week after Labor Day... but we always got out in June... it used to be the first week.... then it moved to the second... and so on... there is one charter school here in town where the kids get 4 weeks off in the summer... and they go to school from 8 am-4 pm--starting in Kindergarten... and believe it or not, most parents who send their kids to this school are proud that their kids are in school for all that time...
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