@Stealth83 : What's also frustrating is those who abuse others willing to donate supplies to help those truly in need. There is a difference between truly in need and lazy and cheap. The schools do not help by putting items on the "supply list" that are not necessary and will not be used. We have gone through this with PISD. I have voiced my concerns; please stop wasting my money. So I buy the basics and then after school starts I buy any other items that are required. I'm not supplying Kleenex or other supplies for the whole grade. My kiddo will have his own him if he needs it. I do not like that they pool supplies and then ask for more because parents know that their child will still have supplies if they don't send it with him/her.

@Lyn0811 : It's hard, but you are trying to teach him a great lesson! I'm proud of you!!

I wonder if the schools could operate some sort of a pawn system: we'll furnish you with your required supplies if you bring us your Nintendo game controller, or similar electronic toy. You can pay the value back at 50 cents a week, or whatever it takes to redeem it by the end of the year or it will be sold to cover our cost. I'm sure the details would be unworkable, though.

A few years ago, I found new uniforms for a dollar for each piece. I bought a stack and gave them to the school nurse. She was able to give them to kids who needed them. Last year, I dressed dolls for a mission, I am doing the same this year. I can't fix the whole world, but I will fix what I can.

@susieq : We donate clothes to the school nurse too! PISD also has a swap shot that allows you to bring in school clothes that are too small, but still good and swap for ones your size.

@squidgirl : If you can actually buy the entire list for $20, color me surprised. You are correct that new clothes and a new backpack are not *needed* (unless the child outgrew their clothes which happened with my kids quite frequently and their backpack is worn out from several years of use). OTOH, this is the 7th/8th grade list (the k-4 list is a pdf)12 pack of #2 Pencils
2 of each Blue, black, & red pens (no gels)
Notebook paper
Graph paper
1 Ruler (inches/centimeters ruler)
1 Handheld pencil sharpener 1
1 4-pack highlighters (different colors)
Scissors (3" - 4" in size)
8 Glue sticks ( 4 of 8 for Science)
1 Package of manila paper
1 8-pack of markers
1 12-pack of map pencils
1 Package construction paper
2 Package Post-Its
1 Package 3 ½ x 5 index cards
5 Colored folders with pockets and brads (blue and red required)
2 Composition notebook (100 pages preferred)
1 Large 3 ring binder w/zipper
1 3 subject 11" 8 ½ " spiral with pocket dividers
2 Three-subject spiral
2 Packages of dividers
2 Folders with brads
2 *Boxes of tissue
1 *8oz. hand sanitizer
1 Recommended: pencil bag for suppliesNote that 12 pencils will probably last about 1/4 of the year if that, 6 pens likewise. Depending on what math you are taking the graph paper may last 1/2 the year or the entire year. We never bought tissues or hand sanitizer when I went to school, but the schools no longer supply those. Likewise I never had to buy manilla paper or construction paper - the school supplied that.

@jrkbird : @Joyful3422 : @susieq : @Inb0913 : @Stealth83 : Very Hard...but he did call me back this morning and said he got his back window fixed...and as soon as he pays a couple of people back...he will pay me back...not holding my breath, but it is a start!

@Lyn0811 : Indeed it is!

@Dorothy : My 2 youngest are in high school. I'm fully aware of how much these items cost and how much is actually used.
Catch the back to school sales and hit the dollar store, and yes you can get what you need for around $20.
I refuse to buy Crayola brand, when Roseart has the same product for less. Why buy graph paper for $3 at Walmart or Staples, etc when you can get it at the dollar store? Three ring binders? They ask for multiples of these, my kids have NEVER used more than 2 despite being told they required more.
As for the Kleenex, wipes, and hand sanitizer.... IF i buy that crap, I get it at the dollar store. Again, why pay more at the other stores?

I always balked at the hand sanitizer and tissues and paper towels too.
Then my kids BEGGED me for the hand sanitizer....... I had no idea they DO NOT have hand washing stations in cafeterias any more! They use the hand sanitizer. So I got them the personal sized ones, and they took their own every day.

@Lyn0811 : It is hard. With our son, for a while he kept having emergencies, and we would loan him the money or just give it to him. Then he got angry, and didn't speak to us for over a year. Know what? He managed. He didn't lose his house, or his car, and he learned how to manage his money. Now, he does not even need any help from us. It worried me to death, but he made it.

@Dorothy : Is this for Pearland? I have not seen a list, and I HATE trying to find everything in just a couple of days.

@squidgirl : I hate to admit it, but I resent when they get so specific with colors on the folders. I have had to order some of them from Amazon to get it right. Nothing should be that hard about school supplies. One year, I could not get the exact number of black markers(for teacher use) that was requested . I just bought a pack, and told her to keep the extras for someone who could not provide them. If I get a 3 pack of tissues, I send all 3, not the two requested. It isn't that much for me to do, but it makes sure everyone is covered.

@susieq : That is the Berry Miller list for this year. 2019/2020. If you google Pearland isd and school supply list, the pdf comes up for k-4.

@squidgirl : That is something I never ever understood. Why do parents think they have to go shopping for back to school clothes?? Ridiculous in my opinion. I do not think children have grown that much from end of May to end of August. I'm not sure if this time period is correct , but close enough , you get my point. Makes the stores happy though.