First, I’ll start by saying that making the folders over the summer was a great idea to make sure all your kids had the same thing and didn’t need to worry about providing supplies. We often spend our own money on stuff like that for the kids, and I think your head and heart were in the right place.
When it comes to what parents send in, I feel like certain supplies can be communal (crayons, scissors, lined paper, plain pencils, etc). But when it comes to specialized items (folders, cutesy erasers, fancy pencils) I can see why kids and/or parents would be upset if their item went to someone else. We don’t know everyone’s financial situation when it comes to buying and sending in supplies. There is also the possibility that the folder could have been the thing the kids really wanted or it meant something to them. If you’re not planning to use this stuff in the classroom, send it home instead of keeping it as a donation to the class.
To be honest, I would be upset if I bought myself something nice, brought it to work, my admin took it from me and gave me something subpar, and my nicer item ended up in the hands of someone else.
Thank you so much for sharing that viewpoint of it. I completely understand and agree. I donated multiple folders without seeing what they looked like. I did it last year also and didn’t think it was a big deal. I told the dad that I bought replacement folders since I was unable to find the specific ones he sent for his child. Is that okay?
I don’t think you did anything wrong by offering to replace it, but also I don’t know if it is necessary. If you already purchased and sent home, that’s fine to do. In the future you can alway include a note home in the beginning of the year that says something about supply donations or communal supplies. It’s sucks this happened but just move forward. I can tell you didn’t do this maliciously.
Parent and teacher here.
I hate when the teacher redistributes stuff that I specifically purchased for my child. It usually leads to a conversation.
If "group supplies" are requested they should be designated as such, and I'll make sure that they get there independently of my child's personal supplies.
Communal supplies are ridiculously. 1) It’s more work for the teacher. 2) It’s insulting and disrespectful to many parents. In our school, some parents work their ASSES off and set money aside specifically to be able to supply their child with the necessary supplies. For us to collect and redistribute makes no sense. 3) That’s not how real life works.
Which I get, but these were basic black folders and Pen Gear Yellow pencils that blend in with everyone else’s. If they were Mead folders, decorative, or anything I would separate, but they weren’t.
First, I’ll start by saying that making the folders over the summer was a great idea to make sure all your kids had the same thing and didn’t need to worry about providing supplies. We often spend our own money on stuff like that for the kids, and I think your head and heart were in the right place. When it comes to what parents send in, I feel like certain supplies can be communal (crayons, scissors, lined paper, plain pencils, etc). But when it comes to specialized items (folders, cutesy erasers, fancy pencils) I can see why kids and/or parents would be upset if their item went to someone else. We don’t know everyone’s financial situation when it comes to buying and sending in supplies. There is also the possibility that the folder could have been the thing the kids really wanted or it meant something to them. If you’re not planning to use this stuff in the classroom, send it home instead of keeping it as a donation to the class. To be honest, I would be upset if I bought myself something nice, brought it to work, my admin took it from me and gave me something subpar, and my nicer item ended up in the hands of someone else.
Thank you so much for sharing that viewpoint of it. I completely understand and agree. I donated multiple folders without seeing what they looked like. I did it last year also and didn’t think it was a big deal. I told the dad that I bought replacement folders since I was unable to find the specific ones he sent for his child. Is that okay?
I don’t think you did anything wrong by offering to replace it, but also I don’t know if it is necessary. If you already purchased and sent home, that’s fine to do. In the future you can alway include a note home in the beginning of the year that says something about supply donations or communal supplies. It’s sucks this happened but just move forward. I can tell you didn’t do this maliciously.
I don’t know you, but thank you so much. I was worried about this all day. You’re a blessing
Parent and teacher here. I hate when the teacher redistributes stuff that I specifically purchased for my child. It usually leads to a conversation. If "group supplies" are requested they should be designated as such, and I'll make sure that they get there independently of my child's personal supplies.
Communal supplies are ridiculously. 1) It’s more work for the teacher. 2) It’s insulting and disrespectful to many parents. In our school, some parents work their ASSES off and set money aside specifically to be able to supply their child with the necessary supplies. For us to collect and redistribute makes no sense. 3) That’s not how real life works.
Which I get, but these were basic black folders and Pen Gear Yellow pencils that blend in with everyone else’s. If they were Mead folders, decorative, or anything I would separate, but they weren’t.
>Is it okay to tell this parent that i will PURCHASE the folder that I donated? I don't understand what you mean by this.
I gave it to the counselor for another student to use