This week I received his back to school supply list. Of course things have changed since I went to school…No doubt thanks to all the educational cuts and the mismanagement of the education system as it stands today. There are 24 items on the list, some strange and some typical. They are asking for the normal stuff Washable Markers, 2 marbled notebooks, Pencils, Folders, Glue, etc. But they are also asking for Ketchup.
And Pancake Syrup.
My son is allergic to Ketchup, and do you really need that much pancake syrup? There are 18 kids in his class, so 18 kids multiplied by 3 classes per grade, that’s 324 bottles of ketchup and pancake syrup.
I assume they aren’t going to do a craft with it.
I am not in any way against giving these supplies, I was a teacher myself, and I understand the major need for tissues and baby wipes which are also present on the list, but they are so weirdly specific and a little strange that it makes me think, if they can give me a list on what they want from me before the first day of school, then why can't I send them a list on what I expect from them for my son.
You want me to get paper plates, not Styrofoam (yes they still make them) and not recyclable ones, but paper--sure, willingly, then I want you to inform me before a lesson happens what you are working on.
You’re asking us for 1 bottle of hand soap, the foaming kind—absolutely-- then make sure that Teddy will be learning math and reading through meaningful, hands on lessons and not only via work sheets.
I don’t want to start a school year already annoyed by the system, though I’m afraid I am. All successful relationships are built on effective communication. I tell you want I need or think, then you tell me what you think or need in return. It really is that simple. Or at least it should be. Not everyone understands this and many people take it personally. I think that if the school thinks it proper to send out a wish list, then so too should we as parents. Nothing personal, not in retaliation, but just in an effort to get the ball rolling in the proper way. I am aware however, that not every parent is as needy or demanding as I am educationally speaking. I have spoken to some parents whose top on the list is that the facility be clean and safe, with the possibility of some reading or math. While I agree with the clean and safe aspect, the requirements for preschool have changed. While it still is not legally mandatory for a child to attend preschool, it is a necessity for them if they are to succeed in the earlier part of their educational career. Statistics from Head Start programs state that the effect of early childhood education (starting at 4 years old) last until third grade if not continually supported. The benefits of preschool lasts for four years. During the time they are in preschool they are not only learning to play with others and reinforcing their basic skills, but they are forming their idea of what school is and they will either love it, hate it or be ambivalent about it. That depends upon the school, the teachers, yes, but also the parents. Parents have a huge hand in how their child sees school and how well they do in it. Our attitudes reflect on our children, they are sponges and we are their models. They pick up on our cues and that determines what type of relationship a child will have with school. Therefore the teachers and administrators really owe it to themselves to cultivate a successful relationship with each and every parent, otherwise they are not doing their jobs.
At least that is how it should be. So my list would consist of all the things a good school should offer, but more than that it would have, at it's very core, the need for effective communication between the home and the school.
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