Sharing School Supplies?

[Curiosity]

I saw a news story a couple of weeks ago and forgot to post it here wondering if this is something which is done in Canadian public schools or ????

Even though school supplies are abundant in the U.S. many kids have a list from their previous year telling the parents the necessaries to bring on the first few days of school ... pencils, pens, eracers, rulers, crayons, notebooks, that kind of thing... personal stuff... but the parents usually buy in quantity so they don't have to go through the ordeal for a few months.... even though kids lose things as quickly as they get them....

Anyway.... a number of public schools in the U.S. are now doing a "sharing" on the first day of school where the children who have plentiful supplies along with the children who have fewer supplies are asked to place all their supplies into a collective supply box for the use of everyone.

I believe in sharing.... but I wonder if "forced sharing" is a good lesson taught?

Is this somehow wrong? I have an icky feeling about it because the kids enjoy buying their personal items and bring them to school with pride. Many children cannot afford that much but I think another better way could be found for them......

 

[karrie]

I believe in sharing.... but I wonder if "forced sharing" is a good lesson taught?

Is this somehow wrong? I have an icky feeling about it because the kids enjoy buying their personal items and bring them to school with pride. Many children cannot afford that much but I think another better way could be found for them......

Personally, I find it horrific. You go out and spend over $100 fulfilling that stupid list for your kids. My daughter is in Grade 1.... 1!... and it cost us over $100 for fine tip markers AND broadtip markers, pastels AND crayons AND pencil crayons. Then you show up at school, and this stuff is shoved in a community pile (each school and class differs on this). 'Bobby the brute' promptly destroys ever marker in the class, and it's not long before the teachers are sending out letters that ALL the parents are expected to buy more supplies again. It's ridiculous. First of all, school is supposed to be paid for with our taxes. Secondly, if they want all of it in a community pile, then let the schools buy it. I know my daughter, bless her little soul, is constantly chewing or sharpening her pencils (they're not supposed to use the class pencil sharpener, parents must buy one for them to keep in their desk and it MUST be a self enclosed one so the shavings don't fall all over), and I've needed to buy her two packs this year because she ends up with her pencils being nothing more than a nub. I don't think that should be on the other parents to help replace pencils because my daughter has a nervous tick.

Ah, I could go on. lol.

 

[Curiosity]

Karrie

Whew - I thought I was being overly witchy.... it seems a wrong message to send to the families.... I know some of the students have personal favorites they like to buy and collect....

There has to be a better way...

It could be a good PTA fund raiser - buying bulk for school supplies and selling at a deep discount to all the parents... ah heck.... I am just against the method they are pushing on kids...

 

[eh1eh]

Yes the PTA option is far more democratic. People will give to something like that knowing it will benefit other students.

 

[darkbeaver]

I saw a news story a couple of weeks ago and forgot to post it here wondering if this is something which is done in Canadian public schools or ????

Even though school supplies are abundant in the U.S. many kids have a list from their previous year telling the parents the necessaries to bring on the first few days of school ... pencils, pens, eracers, rulers, crayons, notebooks, that kind of thing... personal stuff... but the parents usually buy in quantity so they don't have to go through the ordeal for a few months.... even though kids lose things as quickly as they get them....

Anyway.... a number of public schools in the U.S. are now doing a "sharing" on the first day of school where the children who have plentiful supplies along with the children who have fewer supplies are asked to place all their supplies into a collective supply box for the use of everyone.

I believe in sharing.... but I wonder if "forced sharing" is a good lesson taught?

Is this somehow wrong? I have an icky feeling about it because the kids enjoy buying their personal items and bring them to school with pride. Many children cannot afford that much but I think another better way could be found for them......

Curiosity, someday you're going wake up socialist.:laughing7::laughing7::wave:

 

[Curiosity]

DarkBeaver

I grew up with socialism.... for a couple of reasons... my family was very large...and my dad was a union organizer.

 

[darkbeaver]

DarkBeaver

I grew up with socialism.... for a couple of reasons... my family was very large...and my dad was a union organizer.

So what happened?:wave:

 

[temperance]

Well I remember us sharing on our own ,if someone didn't have ,someone else did and shared
I dont think it fair that kids with less and their parents need to spend 100.00 at a time on stuff ,some over do it causing pressure on others (thats life)--if the money was pooled at the beginning ever body start with the basics -(you want to get your kid extra so be it )this school thing is bigger than Christmas for the stores --its totally out of hand ,they need their brains ,not focusing on colored pencils -lol
these lists are not fair --things should be dolled out thought the year --our city has a program ,run by parents ,they gather monies and if kids show up with out stuff there are bags( knapsacks filled with supplies ) all there for them ,not big deal ,they just get the stuff ,if you make a big deal out of it it really takes away from learning --

I know from my own experience ,I was a have not --the going back to school thing was a horrible experience every year Thur my teens

 

[Curiosity]

So what happened?:wave:

DarkBeaver

I think the question of "What Happened" regarding you is more interesting.

 

[I think not]

DarkBeaver

I think the question of "What Happened" regarding you is more interesting.

LOL!

Ditto that.

 

[Curiosity]

ITN hee

 

[Alexander]

Sounds to me like communism.
I am a conservative and don't believe in being forced to give hand outs. Although, I do often lend things or even give hings to people, I just don't think I should be forced to.

 

[Csknight]

That is riduculous. I for myself do not mind sharing even though I sometimes do not like sharing it to specific people mainly because they have lost something of mine numerous times..But I agree with the same person you psted it a few posts ago, If I get about around 100$ of supplies then kids who don't by nothing and take advantage and then thats a waste. Why spend all that money that you most likely be only to use once?

Especially if you had to share things like calculators because some calculators are reletively expensive. Sure I could see perhaps a pack of pencils or a little pack of crayons, erasers and the very cheap things. But rulers, calculators, scissors, glue, and all of the others more expensive thing is complete B.S.

 

[snfu73]

I saw a news story a couple of weeks ago and forgot to post it here wondering if this is something which is done in Canadian public schools or ????

Even though school supplies are abundant in the U.S. many kids have a list from their previous year telling the parents the necessaries to bring on the first few days of school ... pencils, pens, eracers, rulers, crayons, notebooks, that kind of thing... personal stuff... but the parents usually buy in quantity so they don't have to go through the ordeal for a few months.... even though kids lose things as quickly as they get them....

Anyway.... a number of public schools in the U.S. are now doing a "sharing" on the first day of school where the children who have plentiful supplies along with the children who have fewer supplies are asked to place all their supplies into a collective supply box for the use of everyone.

I believe in sharing.... but I wonder if "forced sharing" is a good lesson taught?

Is this somehow wrong? I have an icky feeling about it because the kids enjoy buying their personal items and bring them to school with pride. Many children cannot afford that much but I think another better way could be found for them......

I dunno...I like the sounds of it. I think it's a good first day of school lesson. It shows that the material worth of the goods is not as important as the good feelings, and comradery that come with sharing of those material goods. It puts everyone on a relatively even footing, regardless of social or economic status. Like you said, within a few days, have of the stuff will get lost anyway. Overall, I give this idea a strong B+ if not an A. Perfect...noooo....there are upsides and downsides to any idea...but, I think it's worth trying this anyway. It may not work out so well in the end...but, how is anyone to know unless someone gives it a shot. So, I say, give it a go! If it works, maybe it will catch on. If it doesn't, it will die out.