School System needs to get Supply Lists Under Control

3 spiral notebooks (wide ruled 70 sheets)

2 packs of loose leaf paper

6 boxes 24 count crayons

6 large pink erasers (no cap erasers)

1 pack construction paper

12 glue sticks (no liquid glue)

5 packs pencils (plain, wooden pencils)

4 boxes Kleenex

1 pair school scissors (Fiskars brand)

1 pack of BLACK dry erase markers

Head phones for computer lab

This is an example of just one of the supply lists that can be found on the school system's website. Seems to me like we are losing focus on what good education is really about, the teachers and their relationship with their students. There is no reason why any child should have to bring all of these items to school with them on the first day, or even over the entire year. Don't get me wrong I am not saying teacher's should furnish them, that is not fair to them. The school system needs to get its lesson plans in line to ensure what is taught can be achieved with minimal student purchases. The last time I looked at the economy in Dickenson County, it had one of the highest unemployment rates in the state which also means it ranks toward the bottom of the list in average income. REQUIRING KIDS TO BRING THIS STUFF IS UNFAIR TO THE STUDENTS AND THE PARENTS and no doubt aides in a parents hostility toward the school system from day one. Think about it this way, if you have to decide between buying food or glue sticks, and you choose glue sticks, how would you feel? Before you say, "there are programs that give out free supplies to the kids", some parents still have a sense of pride about themselves and do not want to take handouts. If there are free supplies, we should give them to the classroom teachers and let them distribute them as needed.