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Original poster

Why do schools assume we all access to a working printer?

82 replies

Soubriquet · 02/10/2020 14:52

Dc have been given worksheets to complete for their homework.

Only they haven’t. It’s been put online with the assumption that we can print it off at home. They won’t print it because of Covid Hmm

We have a printer. But it needs new ink which we can’t afford right now.

I’m going to have to hand write every piece of the worksheet down onto paper.

Dh thinks there will be places open that can print it out but really, if schools won’t do it, I doubt we can find anyone else to.

OP posts:
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FusionChefGeoff · 02/10/2020 14:54

Have you asked school if they can make an exception? Any of DCs friends in a position to help? I would happily do this for anyone if asked

RizzleDrizzle · 02/10/2020 14:55

Are libraries open?

Original poster
Soubriquet · 02/10/2020 14:56

I can try asking her school but I doubt they will. They are very strict in what they will and won’t do.

I don’t really know any parent friends to ask, and the library, I’m not entirely sure. I think it’s probably appointment only and I can’t get there anyway

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Dozer · 02/10/2020 14:57

YANBU. It also assumes everyone has connectivity at and devices at home. V few libraries offer cheap printing!

BlueChampagne · 02/10/2020 14:59

They also tend to assume you have the latest version of all microsoft software too.

OP I have seen people offer printer cartridges on freecycle - might be worth a go?

Original poster
Soubriquet · 02/10/2020 14:59

We are lucky we even have a laptop...as old and slow as it is.

It works, barely. It needs upgrading really but for now it’s ok for school work

OP posts:
RedskyAtnight · 02/10/2020 15:00

Have you (or DC) previously admitted to having a printer at home? Was this something they asked during lockdown?

Our experience is that school will provide hard copies of work if they know that there is no access to suitable device/internet/printer. So I'd definitely ask your school if they can do this.

NiceGerbil · 02/10/2020 15:00

Yes I always find this sort of thing odd

Paying to print stuff elsewhere is often pricey as well

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 02/10/2020 15:01

I'd just email back and say "Thanks for sending the worksheets however we do not have access to printing facilities. Please could you send copies out in the post"

RaininSummer · 02/10/2020 15:01

Depending on the work set, could they read it on screen and write their responses down to give to school?

borageforager · 02/10/2020 15:02

I sympathise. I had to copy page after page of worksheets out for home learning during lockdown.

Twizbe · 02/10/2020 15:02

We don't have a printer either. We have very little use for one tbh.

blackteaplease · 02/10/2020 15:03

I would just write down the answers with the question number and hand that in.

You could ask for a word version of the worksheet so you can amend the document directly. But that does assue you have up to MS office package.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 02/10/2020 15:03

The work set looks awkward to just write down.

I’m going to try and contact the school, but I’m not holding my breath.

I’ve never told them I have a computer and printer. It was never stated that we needed one either, which meant that if we did need one and we didn’t have one, we wouldn’t be able to afford one anyway!

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 02/10/2020 15:05

Op, Amazon sells off brand ink that is really inexpensive. Search for your printer ink and see if the cheap stuff is available for your model.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 02/10/2020 15:05

Our school assumes that if you don’t have access to a computer or a laptop or indeed anything else that you need for homework, that you’ll tell them about it so alternative arrangements can be made.

SunbathingDragon · 02/10/2020 15:05

Every time DD’s school emails about things we need to buy or have, they always ask us to contact them if there are financial difficulties or other concerns. On that basis, I’d suggest contacting the school and being honest. They might well be able to help.

StormyInTheNorth · 02/10/2020 15:06

If it is they won't cos covid. If it's a pdf or whatever, edit online and email it to them, because 'it saves the need to quarrantine the paper.' Don't ask them, just do it and write a note in their reading record that homework was emailed to wherever. One of DCs teachers was very precious about parents having her email so I used to email the office to pass on.

RedskyAtnight · 02/10/2020 15:07

While you're waiting for the school to get back to you, why not ask a classmate's parent just to print out 2 copies?

StormyInTheNorth · 02/10/2020 15:08

And yes, I sympathise, we are always being asked for bits of kit the night before with no consideration that I may not have or be able to get hold of whatever it is at 7:30pm.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 02/10/2020 15:10

Thanks for all the replies

I have seen amazon do a cheaper version but I’m not 100% sure which one I need.

This is one that works for my printer Link if anyone knows what the cheaper one would be

OP posts:
Frouby · 02/10/2020 15:11

Contact the school. Tell them you don't have a printer and have no intention of buying one and ask for the sheets to be printed off.

I did this during lockdown. I have a printer but we were getting around 15 sheets a week to print of for homeschooling. I can't afford and begrudged buying ink to print off sheets that would have probably been printed out for class work. I picked ds pack up from school each week even during the pandemic. They were also arsey about changing his reading book each week until I asked what was happening to the resources in ds classroom that had been provided for ds to use, and we shpuld have access to the teaching materials that teachers have.

TorkTorkBam · 02/10/2020 15:15

For cheap ink try here: www.cartridgeink.co.uk/

It helps you work out which one you need. I have bought from them many times.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 02/10/2020 15:15

They do change reading books twice a week...however hey are then quarantined for 48 hours (the books) and the reading diary is to be opened by the children for the staff to have a quick glance at

OP posts:
TorkTorkBam · 02/10/2020 15:16

Actually I meant to link to Cartridge World. But hey, that just goes to show how many there are!

www.cartridgeworld.co.uk