Should I buy primary school stationary supplies?

[Snowstorming]

Hi everyone,

Quick question, hopefully teachers and experienced parents can help.

My kid in Year 1 in going back to school next week. School loaned all kids 1 scissors, 1 Whiteboard pen, one pencil and a plastic sheet to practice writing/erasing. They want everything back when we return even if the pen is finished, for example. So that’s all fine.

My question is, would it be U for me to purchase some extra pencils, scissors and whiteboard markers and give them to the teachers (maybe with a box of biscuits) when the kids return to school?

Teachers have worked really hard with all this online learning and I thought maybe they’d appreciate not having to buy new stationary (I’ve been told teachers often pay out of their own pockets for it). I only got the idea because the scissors they gave looked absolutely rusted and crap, lol.

Or would it be weird? Should I just stick to maybe a box of biscuits to share during lunch?

VOTING
Yes - It’s unnecessary & they don’t need it
No - It’s fine to buy stationary

Thanks!!!

I think this would be really appreciated!

yanbu but maybe ask the teacher first.

I'm sure they wouldn't mind but check first!

We were sent an email from the school thanking everyone for their generosity but they cannot take any gifts in atm as per LA guidance.

I agree with asking them first. It's a lovely idea but we have no way of knowing if they would appreciate it or not. They may have boxes of better scissors but send the crap ones out in case they got lost or something.

That would be lovely! Lots of parents at my school do this with things like glue sticks and art/craft supplies, so we ended up creating an Amazon wish list so teachers could list things that their class specifically needs, and it’s there for parents to look at if they want to. It might be worth checking if your school does the same.

Lovely idea - but schools tend to have specific types they buy and don’t add extra different ones into the classroom

Ooh Amazon wish lists are a good idea lol, would be so much more helpful if everyone had a public wishlist! Gift buying would be so much easier

I am sure it would be appreciated. Perhaps ask what they would like.

I think that lack of stationery is a secondary thing as in primary they remain in one room.

Why not buy the teacher a stationery set with a nice pen, pencil, crayons etc? I used to have coloured pencils with my name on .

Our school was offering to supply pens and paper to kids who didn't have it for home learning, so I'm sure even if not used in the classroom it could be distributed to kids who would benefit?

It would be really appreciated. I am primary and buy a lot of stuff for my classroom so the limited school funds can be spent on things like speech therapy and the Ed psych team!

I think there’s usually a blutak shortage as well as post it notes abs cello tape

Why not send a box of art pencils, blutak, cello tape, post it notes, whiteboard pens - the real stuff that disappears!

it’s a slippery slope though, isn’t it.
Schools should be able to pay for adequate stationery. If they start relying on donations, that sets a precedent for subsequent generations. I know a low income family whose kid went to a school where all the parents were paying quite a bit for water coolers in the classrooms. It was too much.
I’d stick to a nice gift of biscuits or whatever for teachers rather than stepping into pay for things which should be covered by school budget.

Don't bother. Teachers get paid. Schools have stationery budgets.

Give the money to a charity instead.

My sisters a primary school teacher and said she has never had to buy anything like that herself.

I think that's a great idea. Although maybe pop a quick note to the teacher on dojo saying you were going to pick up some pens for class is there is there anything the class needs?

@Honeybobbin

Honestly I've never known a primary school where teachers pay for this stuff themselves. Secondary, yes, because kids are meant to have their own (but often they don't) so it's not budgeted for.

All of my teacher friends and some of my TA friends buy resources themselves, they don't always get the money back.

I know primary teachers who buy stationery and other things out of their own pockets. Schools manage their own budgets and often stationery comes low down on the list of priorities. I have sent 2 boxes of (individually wrapped) biscuits to my youngest DC school since the start of Covid and they were very much appreciated.

Only if you can order direct. They may not be accepting gifts due to infection risk.

Contact your schools PTA? They are the best to be able to communicate with the school staff about if the school needs extra equipment (or would just like some nice extras). That way the school only receives stuff they actually want or need.

Station-E-ry - E for envelope
Station-A-ry - being still

Tempus, the way I remember is imagining myself going to a nice stationers. Not Stationars!!!!

@Iwantacookie what is "dojo" please?

E for envelope is much simpler though.

Anyway, to those teachers buying stationery and resources, stop doing that immediately.