***This is a controversial topic, i am not trying to offend anyone; just voicing my concerns and opinions :0)***
If you have followed my blog for a while you know I have been back and forth on homeschooling or public schools. I decided that at least this year I am not prepared. I need more research and information before I can commit to such an important roll.
Today I took my son to test in for kindergarten, they start school officially in a few weeks and they take these test to see what classroom level they are in, what teacher is best for them, how much one on one time they are going to need etc. I had two major problems as I sat there in the school:
1. There were two lines for the kids to wait in to be tested, one was the Spanish speaking children and the other was the English speaking children. I have an issue with this because the line of the children who could not speak English was outrageously longer than the children who could speak English. I am not racist at all my family is actually Hispanic and bilingual; however it bothers me that some families do not take the time to make sure their children learn English. English is the primary language of this country and it is important for these children to be able to communicate with teachers and other students. It bothers me that my son will possibly be shorted on what he is learning so they can teach English (something in my opinion should be taught at home).
I understand that my opinion on this topic seems harsh and I am not trying to offend anyone.
The second thing that bothered me is when they handed me the school supply list. Now I know with the current economical state, New Mexico (among other states) has made budget cuts in the educational department totaling over $200 million( and don't even get me started on this topic!) but this should not mean that I have to pick up the tab for the schools short comings and purchase supplies that I know my 5 yr old is not going to be using. Looking past the fact that everything on the list will be shared among the class, I was asked to purchase items like dry erase markers, 3 containers of Clorox wipes, paper towels, 3 different boxes of 3 different sizes of ziplock bags, a clip board, hand soap, hand sanitizer, permanent markers, and 5 glue sticks along with a bottle of glue. All of these items were on top of the items I'm not complaining about like markers, water colors notebooks, crayons etc. I walked out of Wal Mart having spent $75.00!(I didn't even buy him anything Iron man, Spider man or holographic!) I am all for pitching in and helping the teachers out ... but to require that parents buy this much stuff that is going to be communal or not even used by the students at all is ridiculous! It is clear the only thing they left off my "required supply list" was the schools toilet paper!
I have to say this experience has definitely pushed me closer to getting my homeschooling act together for next year!
Happy Tuesday!
29 comments:
That list is sounds typical. I have a 19, 15, 9, 6 yr old and the lists have always been that long. It is crazy but on the other side of it, my SIL is a teacher and supplies that are not provided by parents for their children comes out of her pocket. I don't know why they need all of those things because we didn't need them when we were growing up. The ESL thing they usually have a specific teacher for that...or at least that is how it is here in KY. Hope this helps :)
Oh wow, I totally agree with you! I have two boys in school and one girl in pre-k. We spent $120 on supplies and backpacks and I still didn't get some of the things they had on the list. Our class size here is about 20 students. So, just one 1st grade class bringing 2 boxes each of dry erase markers... well that's 40 boxes, which should be enough for every teacher in the building!!! It's absurd, really. We also had clorox wipes, baby wipes, kleenex, Visa Vis markers, 10 packs of 150 sheet filler paper, etc. What really got me going was that they asked for specific brands, telling me these were for the classroom or the teacher rather than MY kid!
Whew, can you tell I was mad too?! ;) Okay, I meant to be quick about that and just say that I have home-schooled until this year and I am really, really considering figuring out a way to make it happen this year too!
I have erased four different replies because I thought they sounded harsh, but there really isn't a nice way to say this. Our government is to blame 100% for the failure of our public schools.There will never be any excuse for the lack of funding for our children. Until "We the People" decide we have had enough of the corruption in government, I see nothing changing. Your best bet is to put your child in a Charter School. One question, what about the parents who cannot afford to buy all supplies the teacher needs ( wants ). Are those children going to be made to feel inferior to the children whose parents can afford it?
Lauren,
When I was in elementary school over 20 years ago, it was standard for us to buy "classroom supplies" like soap and tissues for the class - on top of the folders, glue, markers, crayons, etc that we would be needing.
I understand the allure of Homeschooling - I live in NV which ranks 50th of all states for the quality of our schools (that's the very bottom). However, the socialization my son will get by going to school, as well as those teachers he has that are awesome, are valuable parts of the education experience. I plan to work with him at home, after school, to give him additional education, filling in the gaps.
I feel exactly the same as you. I think it is ridiculous that parents don't teach their kids English if they are going to live in the US. I ALSO get very fired up over those school supply lists, give me a break!!! I guess it's because I am still trying to get up & over the hump of finances, we have struggled for 4 years now & my son may or may not start kindergarten next year, I don't see how I will afford that! Of course, he is starting preschool & they made me pay $80 up front for his supplies so I guess its the same thing. Very ridiculous.
When my kids were in public school (I homeschool now, but that's a long story) I used to wonder what happened to all the scissors. Every year we had to buy scissors and they never came back home at the end of the year. Scissors do not run out. I am sure there is a closet in that school full of scissors. I wouldn't like to be the one who accidently opens it :)
I probably wouldnt of bought everything on that list. Kleenex and buying my own kids supplies is one thing - but I'm not about buying for everyone else. I have a family to feed as well. :)
First, the issue with the ELL students is not a school issue, it is a federal one. Most likely you will find many non English speaking children at any public school. The way that teachers approach teaching ELL students is by using a hands on approach. If your child has any ELL students in his class they will do lots of projects, there will be lots of visuals, powerpoints, videos etc. A teacher does not have to dumb down the curriculum to teach ELL students, and all of the strategies used to teach ELL's will only enhance the learning experience of your child. As for the English piece, these students (especially in Kindergarten) learn English VERY quickly. Many of their parents do not speak English, so it would be impossible for them to teach their children English. ELL students are eager to learn English and will pick it up quickly. I think if you have an open mind you will be pleased with the experience your son has in Kindergarten.
School supply lists are ridiculous! I think teachers ask you to buy so much knowing that not everyone will bring stuff in. I know at my school last year the teachers were very intentional about selecting the list, so hopefully the things you bought will get used. And hopefully the teachers are appreciative- they should be!
That's my two sense!
That sounds like a complete failure of the public school system to me. I agree with some of these women with saying I don't think I would have bought everything. Should teachers pay that expense then? No. The school budget should cover basic supplies to fulfill its purpose. Thankfully Kindergarten is not like that way up here in Northern Vermont where you average about 10 kids in a grade at our little school. We struggle with not having enough options for the range of intelligence and learning the students have.
But one thing is for sure... whether we have a republican or democrat in office it seems nothing is to be done about this country's public schools as all focus is on the war halfway around the world.
Cabin Fever in Vermont
Um yeah I think it is ridiculous for these children to have to be shortchanged because there are other ones who haven't been taught english. I'm just saying: If we moved to mexico I would absolutely make sure my child knew spanish and was very close if not fluent! ridiculous!!
I home schooled for a bit and experienced public and private schools. I live in FL so I can very much relate to the whole Hispanic thing because that's all I hear everywhere we go-Spanish speaking Immigrants. Nothing against the race but they're taking over my country and it makes me real mad when my kids have no idea what the hell these kids are saying because they don't know their language.
My thoughts: If you live in the USA-Speak English and English only. Bi-lingual is great, save it for your trip to Spain, France, Mexico, where they speak that language.
Down here we Caucasian, English speaking people can't get jobs because we don't speak the Spanish language- Luckily my hubs has an amazing job that doesn't require but still it's effed up for the people that were born and raised in America.
School supplies: I'm all for buying clorox wipes, lysol, supplies like that because I'm a freak when it comes to germs and other people's kids can be so gross you wanna puke but I buy it all and don't complain because I know how much they NEED those particular supplies because they go through them fast and my kid is there for a year.
I volunteered, so I know what it's like in the day of the life of a Kindergärtner and their teacher. We have great schools down here and for the most part, the Hispanic culture is highly respectable and clean (here) so they don't bother me as much as they would someone else.
Many things would def. be different if I ruled the world. Unfortunately, this place isn't going to get any better if they continue to let things go the way they've been going. Things need to change.
I am going to write a book if I don't get out of here....sorry....
Here are my 2 cents. It kills me to hear about the things schools are asking parents to bring to school these days. I know when I was in grade school (back in 1492 was it?) we were asked to bring in a box of Kleenex for the class to share...and that was it. I went to a public school and a pretty "economically challenged" one too and we were not asked to supply any more than what we personally would use.
On the whole ESL thing, I come from a family where I'm either the first or second generation in my family to speak English as my primary language. When my grandma and her family moved to the US, they learned English. My Dad spoke English when he came to the US from the Philippines in the 1950's. Respecting your ancestral language and wanting to speak it is one thing. Refusing to learn or teach your kids the language of the country you live in is another.
As for the state of public schools, I think we as a country need to band together on a local level to make changes. I understand parents wanting to take measures in their hands and homeschool, but honestly, it doesn't solve the problem for everyone. Not everyone can afford to be home to school their kids. Very cool that the kids who have parents who can get home education, but who is going to make it better for the kids who can't? It's easy to say "not my problem" but seriously, I pay property taxes that pay for schools in my area even if my kids aren't even in the system yet. Shouldn't I have a say about what the system is doing with my money? Not to mention, I think you get out of the education system what you put into it. I went to school in Hawaii during a time where our school system ranked third from the bottom, only above Mississippi and Puerto Rico. As bad as our schools were, my parents made sure I learned and that I was put in enrichment activities to make up for what I didn't get at school. I WANTED to learn and I did because I was driven to make sure I learned what I needed to. Yes, our school system needs a serious overhaul, but we are parents are just as responsible for making sure our kids learn and doing so doesn't have to mean pulling them out of the public school system and homeschooling them.
I work in a public school and that list seems a bit over the top. I'm all for a box of Kleenex and some hand sanitizer but that sounds like a heck of a lot.
And I'm on the fence about the spanish-speaking kids.
I'm pretty liberal so I'm not really going to chime in here, but I'll admit that some of the things you (and your commenters) have discussed DO bother me too.
Following back from FMBT. Can't wait to get to know you better.
I completely agree. It's insane the amount of stuff they ask you to buy for school. I work full time, so homeschooling isn't an option for me so I guess I'll just be dealing with it! LOL
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I do agree, It seems like the supply lists get longer every year. Thanks for stopping by The Craft Cave and following. I am your newest follower.
I admit to not reading all the comments, but I really did want to leave a comment for you.
I am a homeschooling mother of two children. A third grader (son), and a kindergarten (daughter).
My son did attend our local elementary school for two years. In Kindergarten, more than half of the supplies we were told to purchase were never used by my son (crayons, pencils, markers, folders were all collected at the beginning of the year and put in a "class collection"). He was never "tested" to find out where he stood among his peers before school started. This only happened after school began and then they were all on the same learning curve...whether they were keeping up or not. Thankfully my son was one that was keeping up with the learning. Behavior was another story.
I began considering homeschooling during summer break, we had been planning on a move to another state, but things happened and that fell through. And I doubted my ability to give him a quality education on my own. So I took him back for 1st grade. The supply list was larger, though he did keep his pencils, crayons and and one of his folders (though not the one that had his chosen design/character on it, and I actually asked for it back believe it or not. We never got it back.)He continued to keep up academically, but once again struggled to keep up behaviorally and was sent to the office a few times. It was suggested that we evaluate and possibly medicate our child.
We again began discussing homeschooling our child. And I took the opportunity to really look into my options. I was lucky to find Georgia Cyber Academy through the K-12 program. K-12 by itself is expensive, too expensive for us. We compromised by enrolling in a state funded "home study" program, that provides the K-12 curriculum. My son did this for 2nd grade last year. We have a few things we have to do for the state, like writing assignments, and a standardized test (CRCT). But for our family it was worth it to do these things to be able to keep our son home with us and him still receive quality education.
My daughter is too young to participate (her birthday is 10 days after the state age requirement) so we are inventing our own pre-K/Kindy program using free websites and a few things I have purchased for less than $50. We aren't doing much ;)
Next year, I plan to enroll her in the GCA Kindergarten program.
If you want to send your child to school I encourage you to do so! A lot of children really flourish and shine in a school setting. But do not do it JUST for the social aspect.
We participate in Boy Scouts, Soccer, Ballet, a homeschool play group, and library story times and other programs. There are A LOT of social opportunities if that is what's holding you back. School is not really ideal for "social structure" anyway. the children are always with their direct peers, and in the real world we work with people older and younger than us. From more walks of life than you'll find in a typical elementary school classroom. So, don't let "socializing" keep you from homeschooling your child.
WOW! My children are not in school yet but this sounds crazy to me that they ask you to provide hand sanitizer and dry erase markers??? I know Layla's preschool asks that you bring in lysol wipes to share but it's not required. I guess I have lots to look forward to! *sarcasm*. I also agree on the learning English issue. I even get mad that I have to press 1 for English, lol.
that list is INSANE!! I am in California. Our school budget gets cut more and more every year, but we dont' have to buy things like that. We are asked to provide the child's own things and that's it. You shouldn't have spent that money, I would have gone to the principal and complained!
The Spanish issue I am still on the fence about it. I am sorry you have gotten so many emails about it ( i saw your post on FB ). I don't think you should have to change your content just b/c you have so many followers. That's not fair to you. YOu may lose a few followers along the way but you will gain a lot too. Your blog is real, not sugar coated and fluffy. I say keep it up!
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What is so crazy to me is not the tissues or sanitizer (I would rather them be there) but that not everyone pitches in first of all. And I think your child's name should go on everything and tell them if the teacher tries to take it up that their mommy needs to be called. I've always had the philosophy of buying individual stuff. And these teachers are getting a certain amount for a budget. I'm not saying it is necessarily enough but I don't believe in forcing people to help those less fortunate.
I'm not sure where to start about your comments, but I completely disagree with you.
As a graduate of a homeschool education your reasons of being pushed towards homeschooling are just as bad as those parents who homeschool their kids so they don't get indoctrinated by the "secular world".
The budget cuts to schools really sucks, but I see nothing wrong with pitching in and buying community supplies. Also be prepared to get a list home mid-year for supplies as well. As a parent I see it as my duty & pleasure to help out my child's school and teachers in anyway possible.
And as for your anger over these children not speaking English would you prefer they went to a completely different school? Sounds like segregation to me. Might mean you have to learn some Spanish words. Nothing wrong with that.
As I said in my post... we are a bilingual family of Hispanic origin, I'm not talking about segregating, I'm talking about that fact that if we moved to Mexico I highly doubt there would be a line for my child if he only spoke English. I also doubt there would be a Press 2 for English button. You wouldn't find that in Germany, France, or any other country. It would be my duty and obligation to learn the language of the country I have chosen to live in. It would also be my responsibility as a parent (and citizen of that country)to teach my child this so they could excel in that country. I am all for children learning a second, third or fourth language, but I do not support the families that refuse to accept or learn the English Language; this then effecting the rest of the children.
As for buying supplies for everyone else... I believe that my family has to work very hard so we can buy school supplies for our own children, we do so by getting jobs, budgeting, and cutting back on things we would like to do or have so we can afford them, shouldn't other parents have this exact same responsibility? I am all for pitching in at my child's school by choice not by obligation and pitching in where I can afford to. Also is it far that my child cannot pick what color or decorated journal, pencils, binders etc. because they are considered "communal property"? If these supplies (such as dry erase markers, clip boards, Ziplocks, Lysol wipes and paper towels) are so detrimental to the school year maybe the school needs to re look where their money (and my already contributing tax dollars) are being spent. Also is far that because we are required to spend so much money on these items that some kids will now not be able to afford a nee back pack, shoes, or even special new clothes that they may like to have because so much of their back to school budget was spent on communal supplies?
With the expected student to teacher ratio (in our district) being 30-40 to 1 I would like to know what it is the teacher is going to be doing with (approx.) 175 dry erase markers (5 per pack) 140 glue sticks 30-40 clip boards, 105 containers of Lysol wipes (when bleach and water work just fine) and 90 boxes of Ziplock bags...
You can see where the line of "contributing" has been crossed.
I suppose we can agree to disagree on this topic! I do appreciate you reading :0)
Well, I guess I'll drop a note here. As far as the segregation goes, if the children are made to stand in differant lines, I see a little going on already. When you stand children in two differant lines it creates an implied differance that is quickly picked up on. Children are extreamly smart, don't sell them short, they know there is a differance. I don't believe its the parents creating the segregation issue.
As far as the contributing to a communal supply, I beleive you should have the right to use what you buy. This is no more fair than taking your savings accounts, blending them together, and one person decides who will get to use the money, reguardless of who put it in. Oh wait, we have this its called waistful spending of tax dollars. Let me ask this, I have worked my whole life, paid in all my taxes, and for my taxes I am promised certian services, Fire and rescue, Police protection, and an education for my children. Even though I don't have children in the public school system, I am still required to pay property taxes that are to go to these services. Why is it that when money is tight due to waistful spending, these services are the first on the chopping block? In Albuquerque, this year, all of these services suffered sever cuts. But no where when taxes are going up and services down has anyone mentioned cutting wellfair distrubutions? The people who contribute the least if anything to the "Communal Fund" (Taxes) receive the largest portion of the distributions.
They receive the free public education, and by filling out a form, they will not be required to bring these supplies, but their children will use the supplies brought by the parents that "can afford it" as decided by the governemnt.
They receive the EBT distributions.
They receive the free health care benifits.
They get a big fat check on their "Tax Return" even thought they did not contribute any taxes in. This is most laughably refered to as the "EARNED" income credit. Makes you freel like you worked for it.
They receive the free school lunches.
The list goes on and on, yet these people are not asked nor required to take a reduction of benifits in hard economic times. And if you did ask them to take a reduction you get what happened in France. Riots.
Our government is out of control with handing out money we just don't have. Our schools are underfunded, our teachers are underpaid, educational standards are droping, and the administrators are still getting big fat checks, some more then I make in several years.
Our government sends billions of dollars of aid (our communal contributions, ie. taxes) out of the country while our own children are made to bare the burden through slashed education.
This is alot to say, I am sure there will be alot of feedback, but answer this before you reply:
March of Dimes, Susan B. Coleman, Jerrys Kids, Special Olympics, or any other charity you want to place here comes to your door. They ask for a donation, you have ten dollars, you need food for your children or school supplies.
Do you give the ten to the charity or do you say, "Sorry, I cant afford to help right now, I don't have any money."
Yep, you take care of your children and your families needs first, our government needs to learn this.
Ugh, unfortunately, this can be blamed on our government, not the schools. The list does seem to be extremely long though. I prefer teachers that ask for the basics, then if a need arises, ask the parents in a timely fashion. My daughter is 2, so we aren't near thinking about school, but I'm dreading it already!
Very interesting blog and I agree with you 100%.
My daughter is 4 and is starting a private pre k in a few weeks and thankfully the only things I was asked to buy for her where a backpack,lunch box,folder, and a sleeping bag. The school supplies all the other things but I do remember in school having my parents get lots of those things and half the time we never used them or like you said, everyone did.. It's really unnecessary! And I do think that everyone needs to learn English. Not only are they taking time out of class to help them but those non English speaking students never get to really interact with the rest of the students because they can't understand them which must me hard on them
My advice to young parents keep your children home. Homeschool until you feel you can not do a great job of it any longer. I home schooled mine until two years before the end of High school so they both went ot Junior and Senior years of High School. They loved home school and they loved high school one graduated the Validectorian of the high school much to a lot of parents anger over that one (since he did not go to the school but two years) Both kids went on to Ivy Colleges and have graduated with honors and I loved every moment of homeschooling. My children have better values, morals and world skills than any they have ever gone to school with.
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