Is this normal for public school?

ghm

On top of the school supplies, I'm supposed to send $20 for a classroom fee. I'm going to send it because they say so, but I'd appreciate if they'd say what the $20 fee is for. I assume it's to cover extra supplies throughout the year, but that would be nice to know. I checked, and one other school in our county requires it for K only (our whole school is requiring it). The others say that extra supplies are appreciated throughout the year.

What is a parent supposed to do if they don't have $20? $20 can be a lot of money to people--hell, we've been in times where we wouldn't be able to come up with $20 extra.  

IF it's for supplies as time goes on, I can understand that, but still... IDK, just annoying that there's no explanation. I'd feel embarrassed to ask at open house, too, so I'll just send the money.  

monchichi

It's not normal in my district.  I'm a high school teacher and we can't even charge lab fees because of the fact that we're public.  If we charged a fee, it would have to be used to enhance the curriculum OUTSIDE of the regular school day and can't be mandatory.  Heck, we can't even ask kids to bring in kleenex-something that schools I taught in stopped providing 5 years ago.

grja

The school where my SIL teaches does that. Its basically to cover extra supplies and stuff and mainly for the kids who can't necessarily afford the basic supplies. There's a form you have to fill out to get exempt for paying it if you truly don't have the extra money.

ccm1203

I wouldn't say it is normal.  My guess is it is the school's way to limit the teacher's out of pocket expenses.

AggieCouple

I don't think it's normal in normal economical times but considering fiscal cuts in most school districts, I'm not surprised.  Our district hasn't had a ton of cuts but it seems my n&n do a lot more fundraising than they used to.

j-w

DD's kindy classroom had a fee too.  I believe it covers class parties for her school.

REOM

Because it's a public school, they can request that you send it in, but they can't mandate it. Of course, it might not be worth the fight for $20, but technically they can't require parents to send in $, even for field trips.

HAFranklin

ccm1203:

I wouldn't say it is normal.  My guess is it is the school's way to limit the teacher's out of pocket expenses.

This is what I was thinking. A friend of mine is a public school teacher, and she has spent hundreds of dollars out of pocket per year in additional supplies. (And now with Detroits new 60+ kids per classroom plan, that will be doubled at the least.)  I agree with the OP that they should have explained what its for. 

Rebekah1021

I pay a supply fee for preschool, but have never heard of it for public school. I might be out of the loop though since it's been forever since I have been there and DD has another year.

I'm not too keen on it though. I can see how it can be a hardship. If every kid in the class brings in $20 and there is 25 kids in the class, where does the $500 go? Does the teacher hang on to it? Does it go into a fund? I guess I would want to know who is in charge of the money.

EliseB0323

Ask what the fee is for. However, I don't think you need to micro-manage where it goes, who is in charge, etc.

We don't pay a fee, but we are asked to purchase a few supplies that are used by the whole class. (Tissues, hand sanitizer, etc.)

Angela814

We paid a class fee last year for 4K. I think it was around $16. We pay a materials fee for daycare too. I guess I just expected to pay an annual fee for school. I actually remember bringing in a check for the fees when I was in high school too.

Angela814

REOM:

Because it's a public school, they can request that you send it in, but they can't mandate it. Of course, it might not be worth the fight for $20, but technically they can't require parents to send in $, even for field trips.

We paid between $3-8 for each field trip DD took last year too.

REOM

Angela814:

REOM:

Because it's a public school, they can request that you send it in, but they can't mandate it. Of course, it might not be worth the fight for $20, but technically they can't require parents to send in $, even for field trips.

We paid between $3-8 for each field trip DD took last year too.

They can ask you for it, but if you don't/can't pay, it is illegal for them to not allow your daughter to go on the field trip, which must have been deemed part of the curriculum in order to get approved. In fact, schools can't even require parents send in supplies, only ask for them.

Schools don't always follow it (obviously) but it's federally mandated that schools are supported by taxpayer funding, not the student's parents specifically. Any parent willing to take up the fight with the district would win. 

MichelleWP

I've never been asked to send $$$, but every year the shared supplies requested seems to increase. Honestly, I'd prefer sending cash rather than 4 reams of printer paper, 4 rolls of paper towels, 2 packs of dry erase markers, etc.

ghm

Here is the regular school supply list:

Kindergarten    

1 Back Pack (with no clips)   

2 boxes of Crayola crayons (24 count or more) 

1 pkg. Crayola markers  

1 box of colored pencils 

1 pair of Fiskar scissors (blunt end) 

1 tray of Crayola watercolor paints (Pierce?s class only) 

10 glue sticks  

1 box of tissues 

2 rolls of paper towels 

1 package of index cards (Pierce?s room only)

Morning Kindergarten 

1 package of pencils 

1 box of sandwich Ziploc bags 

1 package of paper plates 

1-12oz. bottle of waterless hand sanitizer 

Afternoon Kindergarten

1 package of paper cups 

1 box of gallon-size Ziploc bags 

1 package of napkins, forks or spoons 

1 box of wet wipes or more

 

 

Really, I DO understand. I know teachers pay quite a bit out of pocket for these things throughout the year. I just think it would be nice for them to say what the money is going for. I understand that perhaps not all parents would send in extra supplies throughout the year, but I'd be more than willing to send in things they need as the school year progresses. I do have the money...but it would be really embarrassing for me if this had happened 6 months ago...because that would have been really hard for me to come up with when things were so bad with DH's work.  

MamiH

My girls' school also requested $20, in addition to a $5 fee for headphones.  Our school also requests special snacks, supplies, etc. for parties and other special programs throughout the year.  I felt like I was always sending in something extra--cupcakes, handled bags for valentine's day, Fruit Loops for a 100 day of K necklace...the list goes on and on.

In addition, we also have to send in 20 glue sticks, 3 boxes of crayons, 1 box of markers, blah blah, for the community bin.  I can't believe all the extras we have to contribute, it's insane. 

REOM

That is a pretty long list, and I bet is a hardship for a bunch of parents.

Of course, you don't want to make waves just entering the school. Another option is to get involved with the PTA/PTO. I have been in schools where they use the funds from fundraising to supplement classroom supplies to take the burden off of families who can't afford them. 

shouldbworkin

Yep.  They ask for stuff all of the time.  They have a "run" at the beginning of the year, you can either get pledges or send $60.  I send $60.  It's for supplies that the budget doesn't cover.  I don't mind supporting when I can b/c I know some families cannot. 

and, you would be surprised by the kinds of things they need in school, wipes to wipe off the tables at the end of the day, kleenex, soap for the bathroom faucet in the classroom, snacks, dry erase markers, regular markers ...  they go through a lot of stuff.  However, our supply list is for community items and you don't need to buy everything on the list until 2nd grade. 

Summerly2

DS's school had a $15 fee due at registration (the week or two before school starts) on top of school supplies, etc, BUT I heard somewhere that it was optional, although it certainly didn't seem that way. And I'm with the pp who says she felt like she was always sending something in. This was a weekly occurrance. It's hard because things are certainly tight for us but we made it work simply because I know his classroom needed it and I knew not everyone was doing it (same parents sending in items/volunteering each week).

summerbrideDC

When I was teaching, I spent up to $500/year on out of pocket costs for supplies for special projects, etc.  The fee might be helping to cover that cost along w/ going into a fund for families who can't afford all those supplies.  I know that at our current preschool, we paid $10 for a special t-shirt for field trips; not sure if your school uses those, too.  

So many school budgets have been cut so drastically in recent years, I wouldn't be surprised if that $20 is to cover class room basics like boxes of tissues, dry-erase markers, etc---things that used to be found in a school's supply closet that there's just no money for now in a school's budget 

ghm

SBDC--that's why I'm just going to send it. I have SO many complaints about the public school system (as most of you know) and have been very skeptical about using it for my kids. It's sad that teachers have to put so much in on their own. The constant budget cuts for education while padding the pockets of crooked politicians makes me sick. I read a really interesting article about teachers being forced to quit and return to school to find a new profession, even after 20+ years teaching because they just can't afford to teach any more. On top of awful salaries, what they pay to teach their children...they just can't do it. 

AnnapolisLari

A lot of times those fees are going for consumables. Many books have workbooks that go along with them and obviously as the workbooks get used, they are no longer usable by future students.

 

DandelionMom

My kids' schools ask for a donation (one is $100, the other two are $20).  I think it goes into the fund for class extras like parties, fieldtrips, field day, etc.

This is in addition to crazy long lists of shared and personal supplies.  I'm not crazy about it but I do pay. 

MotherBucker

That's the supply list for Kindergarten???

 

That's insane.

r9stedt

MotherBucker:

That's the supply list for Kindergarten???

 

That's insane.

 Of course, I agree with MB. 

veloelle

I thought you were homeschooling?  I called DD's school for a K supply list, and they said the kids don't bring anything, everything is supplied at the school. I was shocked, given the dire straits of California. We'll see when she starts school next week if each class has special requests. We had supply lists like that when I was in private school. My sister's kids have always been in public, and I've never heard her mention a laundry list like that. Especially for K.

LeoChic

DD starts Kindergarten this year and we have to pay a $125 fee.  Our letter from the school indicates that the fee covers field trips, snacks, supplies, and insurance.  They collect it up front at the beginning of the year rather than asking for money throughout the year.

lildevil968

Our fee's are $10. For here it is normal, and usually is used at scholastic (sp).

evaazalea

The school we are sending DS to requires indoor shoes, a back pack and $55. The $55 covers all materials. field trips and swim lessons.

ghm

Veloelle, we're trying public school for Ethan. I feel like it's a better fit for him, and I feel Belle needs more focus on her right now. 

angelproberts

AggieCouple:

I don't think it's normal in normal economical times but considering fiscal cuts in most school districts, I'm not surprised.  Our district hasn't had a ton of cuts but it seems my n&n do a lot more fundraising than they used to.

I think it depends on the school system. I have taught in 2 different states and 1 never had it and 1 did. I doubt it's used for parties and more for cutting teacher out of pocket costs.

Aggie I quoted you because I can't find a big sister shirt in any store so I was wondering where you got yours from.

J&A2008

Are hand sanitizer, paper towels, kleenex, dry erase markers, flash drives, batteries or ziplock baggies on your school supplies list? 

We usually spend from around $100 per child for school supplies for our kids and the classroom. 

J&A2008

OMG.  I just realized we also always pay a "class fee" not listed with the school supplies that we also pay per child: $55.  Interesting.  Now I am curious what this money goes towards, since we pay per field trip and parties are covered by room moms, not through the school.

ghm

J&A2008:

OMG.  I just realized we also always pay a "class fee" not listed with the school supplies that we also pay per child: $55.  Interesting.  Now I am curious what this money goes towards, since we pay per field trip and parties are covered by room moms, not through the school.

Yikes! I feel thankful ours is just $20. Again, I just want to know WHAT this money covers. I don't think the teacher is just going to pocket it, but it's nice to know where my money is going. I'm curious to see how much I end up spending on the supply list I was already given.  

W&J'sMommy

$95 school fee here (20 is for technology fee, the rest I don't know, I was thinking of calling and asking I'm so pissed about it).  I'm not too happy about it, I'll be especially unhappy when I've got 3 in school.

On top of that we have a lengthy list of supplies, the PTA version is $50, I'm hoping to find everything for less then that.

 

cristiana

DD goes to a public school, and there is no supply list or fees. They do two big fundraisers a year, a jogathon and a spring fair. They are very successful, and as a result, we don't have any candy bar or magazine fundraisers.

 

shopgirl78

That school supply list doesn't sound out of whack but the $20 does but we are asked to send money throughout the year for various things (graduation hats, field trips, etc). Oh and we paid a $5 party fee.

I can tell you in the larger district I sub in the schools that meet certain criteria (notably they are in the poorer areas of town) give out school supplies free of charge along with vaccines.  They also have a summer lunch program/after school programs, etc.. 

Here is DD's school supply list:

1  Back pack 

1  1 inch 3 ring binder 

1  Pair of Fiskar?s brand scissors 

4  Boxes of 24 Crayola Crayons 

2  Boxes of 8 Crayola Markers (any colors) 

24 Pencils - #2 lead 

1  School box (small size) 

2  Large Pink eraser 

2  Folders with pockets 

16 Glue sticks 

2  Large boxes of tissues 

1  Spiral notebook (wide ruled) 

1  Bottle of Germ-X hand sanitizer 

2  Antibacterial wipes 

 

Boys- Zip-loc gallon or sandwich bags 

Girls- 2 pack dry erase markers (any color) 

 

DS1:

1 Package of standard size coffee filters 

1 Bottle of Elmer?s liquid glue 

1 Backpack large enough to carry a folder, lunch-size bag, and 

 change of clothes (NO Wheels) 

1 Plastic, durable folder, no paper folder 

1 Box of Crayola crayons (regular size) 

1 Box of classic colors Crayola Washable markers 

4 Elmer?s glue sticks 

2 Large boxes of Kleenex 

2 Containers of Clorox disinfecting wipes 

2 Tubs of Baby Wipes 

1 Plastic Water Bottle, 16 oz. No sippy cups 

1 Crayola Water Color Set 

1 100 Count 9 inch paper plates 

1 Bottle of Hand Sanitizer (16 oz or larger) 

 

superslug

I had to pay like $55 on top of the regular school supplies! I'm thinking they probably have some other option for parents who can't afford it, but IDK. Our supply list had a notation that additional supplies would be requested throughout the year. The $55 was for parties, snacks, and supplies not on the list.

emiliemadison

Our classroom fee was $40- it went towards some extra classroom supplies and for snacks (two snacks per day for all day K, things like crackers and cheese, etc). This was separate from the supplies of her own that my DD needed, which came out to approx $50. 

amiamish

I have never heard of a fee nor "community supplies." So, I just checked our list for what kg's need- Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}

Kindergarten

?         1 bottle white glue ?         2 boxes of facial tissues ?         8 fat glue sticks ?         1 box 24 count crayons ?         2 packages of 8 fat washable markers ?         1 package of 2 black dry erase           markers ?         12 #2 pencils, sharpened ?         1 package large pink erasers ?         1 pair of scissors ?         1 two pocket folder w/brads ?         1 composition notebook ?         2 bottles hand sanitizer ?         1 box gallon size Ziploc bags ?         1 small plastic school box ?         2 containers antibacterial wipes