school supply changes

It used to be kids were sent off on the first day of the school year with notebooks, textbooks, pencils and a colorful lunch pail. Based on a TV news report I saw the other day, times have surely changed.

In one district -- I'm not sure where -- the list of supplies kids need to have on the first day of school included everything from tissues and disinfectant wipes to toilet paper. Obviously budgets are tight everywhere, but this is just a little scary. Plus, I have this image of that toilet paper winding up wrapped around the trees on the school grounds, not that all children these days aren't little angels who would never dream of doing such a thing!

It's been true for a very long time that schools don't have nearly enough money to buy all the supplies most teachers would like for their classrooms. Even when I was volunteering years ago in an inner city elementary school, the teacher I worked with spent a huge percentage of her own money on creative supplies for her learning disabled students. She haunted thrift stores for placemats that could be cut into puzzle shapes or objects that could be turned into a matching game. She was one of the most caring, inventive teachers I've ever met. And I know she was spending money she didn't have to spare. We've been expecting this of teachers for way too long.

And now we're asking parents, who theoretically pay for their child's education with tax dollars, to chip in with more than notebooks and pencils. I'm not suggesting that's wrong, only that it worries me how it will affect the family that's barely making ends meet at home. Some folks are barely able to scrape together the money for the classroom essentials, much less the desirable backpacks and other things kids need to feel as though they fit in.

I'd love to hear what's happening in your school district. Has that essential school supply list grown dramatically this year? How do you feel about it? Click on comments below and let me know.

Does your community have a school supply drive? Though I've dropped off supplies for those in the past, something tells me it's more important than ever this year. If you have the money to spare for a few extra pencils, pens, notebooks or whatever's on your child's list, pick up a few items and take them to a community drop-off. Buy in bulk wherever such things are available and share with others. No child should ever start the school year without a few basic necessities...especially toilet paper!