Spin off of Annoyed...

Yes, parents should contribute! I am a room parent for my daughters first grade class and earlier in the year a letter was sent home requesting $5 from each child's parent / guardian to go towards the classroom parties (fall, winter, and valentines day). Out of a class of 26 we had only three parents (two of which were myself and the other room mom) that replied to the letter. We sent a follow-up reminder a few weeks ago and luckily got ten more responses. We have $65 to spend on three classroom parties for a class of 26. I have agreed, and so has the other room parent, that we will provide whatever is needed to make the parties fun for the kids. I think it's pathetic that parents can't contribute $5 towards their kids classroom parties (and that's $5 for all the parties, not each party) and that's all I will type on that topic because I could go on and on.

Yes, parents should donate supplies. But you also need to realize that not all parents are in a position in which they can easily donate. You can afford it. Great. Little Freddie's dad might be living pay check to pay check and hasn't paid his electric bill in three months.

Was it something the kids had requested or was it something the teacher had requested for the kids? Did she tell what the sticky notes were for, or were you just expected to pick one up?

It is the beginning of "Freakin' Expensive Holiday Season." That means Halloween with all its costumes and candy and parties, Thanksgiving with travelling or hosting guests and huge expensive meal, then Christmas which really just speaks for itself, doesn't it? And God forbid you have a kids birthday mixed in with all that (we have two).

We are doing everything we can to put food on the table, trick or treat, be thankful, be santa, and have somekind of birthday. Now would be the absolute worst time to have to donate, because we simply don't have it.

This would have been good to put out, along with an email for phone call to the parents, at the beginning of the school year or right before the Christmas Break so that they could take advantage of sales and bring them to school for the next semester.

I think parents should be willing to donate but her timing as well as her delivery weren't optimal.

Most teachers wait until after the holidays to request "updated donations". Lots of parents are willing to send things in, but may not LOVE the idea of communal donating. I know that sounds strange, but some parents would rather send in 3 boxes of tissues with their child's name on it then send in 3 boxes to be used by the class. I don't get it, but it's true.

Unfortunately, many parents also don't realize that teachers' budgets are being cut back for non-essential items. Non-essential is defined differently between districts and school buildings. In most cases, anything that is fun, but can be accomplished in a different way is cut out. They also don't realize that teachers buy this stuff out-of-pocket. When my husband's office runs out of supplies, I assure you he's not running to Staples with our debit card!

People should help when they can, but really not feel pressured if they simply cannot. If some of the "fun" activities go away, then that's the natural consequence of the lack of support. On the other hand, as long as the kids are still learning and developing, not having sticky notes isn't the end of the world.

There's a balance and I assure you that the teacher put out more sticky notes than parents to assure that "most" of the supplies or requests were covered. She'll cover the rest or go to the PTA/PTO for additional support if needed.

How many sticky notes did she start off with? How do you know if anyone didn't take one, if you don't know how many she started with?

No, I don't think you are wrong in thinking/believing that we, as parents, should be contributing to our child's education.

And, No. I don't think you are out of the norm. There are many parents out there that happily donate and contribute to their children's education and other activities by donating, time and money.

At our school, our teachers send out weekly newsletters. If she needs something, she puts on there what she and the class needs. Usually the next day at least two or three of the kids are bringing the stuff in.

I don't mind contributing. I do get upset when I am volunteering in the classroom and there are some kids/parents that NEVER contribute. THAT bothers me....they don't attend school functions, they don't volunteer to chaperone at field trips...

I haven't responded to the other post yet. But I do get what she's saying.

I bought tons of classroom supplies, but found out when I asked many parents would send them in.
Now that I have a child, we have the means and buy even communal supplies. I try not to see the nails, hair extensions, tatoos, and such of the noncontributing parents. I do it for the kids.

When we were getting out of debt, I stopped all contributions except church. No fundraisers, donations, loans, etc... We had an infant so she had no outside expenses. A few people got mad because my husband had never said no and they knew I was the hardX999, but I don't care. Being debt free is worth it.

I would LOVE it if a teacher suggested specific supply donations!
I usually send in boxes of Kleenex, soaps and such for the classroom, but hard to know what they really need unless they are specific.
Now, I know some schools do a supply list which is mailed over the summer which includes not only school supplies for the child but classroom basics which are expected at the start of school.
Maybe some parents just missed them?
We never really know the financial situation of other families in our schools. I was shocked at how many in our school are on the free or reduced breakfast & lunch plans!

I don't mind donating & in fact donate a lot. My problem is with the FAT RAT UNIONS. These Union CEO's are making hundreds of thousands of dollars & are donating millions of dollars to the democratic politicians and the PISSES me off. How do Teachers feel about there union dues going to huge splurges by the Fat Rats rather than the Teachers & schools?

As a former teacher I just would like to say a big thank you to you and the others who freely and regularly send in supplies, etc.! I can't tell you how much money I spent of my own to furnish things for the classroom...much to my husband's chagrin, no less! ;) I know most families have it hard right now, and I'm not trying to talk poorly about others, just celebrate those who are willing and able to help! I don't think a lot of people realize how much the teachers put in of their own money too!

I would have to say no, I have to struggle just to buy groceries. I can not send extra money for things like that. If I were going to spend extra money on things I would buy the kids photos they took on picture day. They brought them home yesterday and their little faces fell when I saw the minimum was at least $20 for a small package. Their faces both just fell, it broke my heart but I have to feed and clothe them first. There are many many other things I need to buy or repair before I will have extra money for stuff to make a school day more fun for the kids. As much as I wish it were different it isn't.