Enough already! with those lists of required school supplies
It’s almost here, the time every parent and taxpayer has been waiting for. It’s midsummer, and just last week I received a reminder in the mail that the upcoming school year is fast approaching. Of course my kids are not all that excited, as they do not want the summer to end. I’m not all that excited, either. My “reminder” that came in the mail was a long list of school supplies that I must purchase for my seventh-grader (I haven’t received one for my fourth-grader yet, but I’m sure it’s on its way). The list is endless and even includes nonschool-related items, such as boxes of tissues. In fact, boxes of tissues and paper towels have been on every list since kindergarten. In some cases, you’re required to send boxes of snacks and extra items for other students to use. Now, I live in the Scotia-Glenville School District, and anyone who lives here knows that school and property taxes are high. With us paying such high taxes, which go up every year, why should we also have to purchase supplies that the schools should provide? Where are our tax dollars going? When I was in school, we were required to purchase No. 2 pencils, loose-leaf paper, and a three- or five-subject notebook at that grade level. That was it. Now, we’re required to purchase folders, binders, binder clips, different colored markers, colored pencils, pens, highlighters, pencil boxes, glue, etc., the list goes on. This really is not fair. Taxes in New York are out of control and as a single working mother, I think it’s disgraceful the burden placed on us and families in general who are on fi xed incomes. Our taxes are not based on our incomes, but rather go up and up even though the amount of money coming in hasn’t changed. I hear many parents make the same complaint about our laundry list of school items to purchase, yet no one says anything. We just take the list to the store and buy what we are told to. Maybe this year, parents should take their school supply lists and the receipts from the purchases and staple it to our tax bills and demand a refund! Maybe that will get our school district’s attention. ANGELA CAPULLO Glenville
From what I hear, not only do the parents have to dig deep in their pockets for school supplies, so do the teachers. There are a lot of extras that teachers pay for themselves. It really does make one wonder where the heck our school taxes go. Not to mention the rising cost of lunch for the kids.
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
I am writing in response to Ms. [Angela] Capullo’s Aug. 6 letter, “Enough Already! with those lists of required school supplies.” It is amazing how shortsighted people are! What about the taxpayers who have no children and the retired people who are struggling to pay the ever-increasing taxes? Go get your children’s classroom the box of tissues and other supplies, and vote down the school budget next year. RICHARD MATTHEWS Glenville
Good point Mr.Matthews.....I would also go as far to say....break the union and go non-union---Like Draper School was back in the day.....then we can buy all the damn pens/pencils/crayons etc that we want and have no one to blame but ourselves when there is no supplies for our kids......take the responsibility out the hands of the government and special interests.....they can lead, but stop mandating our lives.....
see our schools----see our future healthcare......maybe Mr.Matthews would also like to address AARP or those who complain about paying for their drugs......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
There’s little to be gained from voting down a school budget
In response to the Aug. 8 letter from Richard Matthews, who says [forget] “those lists of required school supplies. ... Go get your children’s classroom the box of tissues and other supplies, and vote down the school budget next year.” What, exactly, does Mr. Matthews expect to gain from voting down a school budget? The teachers, teachers aides, bus drivers, cleaning staff and even the principal have contracts, and these contracts have to be honored. What you gain by not voting to pass a school budget is: No afterschool activities, no field trips and other programs that affect the students. We keep a lot of children in school because they play football, baseball, etc. Many even go on to college from their sports programs. So think again before you speak, or write, to vote down a school budget. It does not work! DELORES S. DORIGUZZI Schenectady The writer is a former Tupper Lake school board member.
We keep a lot of children in school because they play football, baseball, etc. Many even go on to college from their sports programs.
Gee, I'm glad to hear that kids are staying in school for the sports and that is what also gets them in college. And all this time I thought it was the the academic grades. Silly me!
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Bumble, although I hear where you're coming from, it's not unusual (to be loved by anyone..sorry) for kids to get by in school becasue their focus is elsewhere i.e. sports, music, whatever.
I think the point is that those things keep them there, and eventually (and hopefully) they understand the importance of their education...just my two cents.
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
since kleenex was on the list,,,I was wondering if toilet paper will be on it next year.....as for hand sanitizer in the classroom.....as a nurse it is only when used between clean jobs not dirty jobs.....as for the viruses/illnesses etc----water fountains(and I pay for them in my taxes)......
We have come to a place in time where you cant afford me and my services and I cant afford you and your services(union or not).......supposedly it's about prevailing wages.....there is a monkey on our backs skimming and skimming......can anyone name it???
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Logged
