The School Supply List that never Ended & Other Stuff

I am not sure how it is across the country, but here in our little world schoolbooks have become a scarcity.

Moreover, school lockers? Non-existent. To be honest, I am not sure of the real reason behind getting rid of lockers. I can assume it had to do with safety. However, maybe it had to do with the fact that our schools are slightly overpopulated and there just were not enough to go around. Either way, the kids have to keep everything in their backpacks.

When I say everything, of course I do not mean their books. They actually get to borrow a book during school hours. At the middle school level, they do not have enough books to give everyone an extra copy to keep at home. Makes it hard to do homework, huh? Most of the teachers say they give the students time to do the homework in class. When are they ever learning new things if they are constantly trying to keep up with their homework on past lessons, I wonder?

This year, Isabel's Social Studies teacher said they will be learning from an Atlas. She showed me a copy. Then she said that the students won't actually have a copy to refer to, but we could purchase one on our own, if we wish.

Her school supply list? It's long. Besides all of the day-to-day items the students will need, the teachers would like the following:

Copy Paper
Kleenex
Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
White Board Markers
Extra pencils
Crayons
Markers
A Slew of Sciene-like materials
and the list goes on.
Really.

About the Copy Paper... the schools have none. NONE. It's embarrassing. And sad. Last year, I purchased a large box (5000 sheets) and gave it to the teachers. This year, I will do the same.

At the high school level, I was grateful to learn they did have extra books to keep at home. Which I am glad for as Alex will need to maintain a B average to stay on the Football team. I can help him study in the evenings... Having the books will make a huge difference.

I spent hours last night meticulously putting together Alex and Isabel’s school supplies and backpacks. As I scanned the hundred dollars worth of goodies, I got worried for Alex. He is going be swimming with the big fishes now. I remember high school. I went to this high school. I know this community. There are many students starting school on Monday that will not be in line to graduate come May 2014. Along the way, there are going to be many kids who refuse to do their work, who interrupt class, and who are just plain unprepared for school each day.

I am scared for Alex to see that type of behavior on a larger scale. I am scared he will join in. Alex is not perfect... and frankly, he does not like school much.

We have made it perfectly clear to Alex that he WILL graduate. Moreover, that he WILL attend college.
It is going to take a lot of work on his end.
It is going to take a lot of work on OUR end.

Which is crazy.... We did our time in high school.
I earned my Bachelors degree.
I have just spent the last 2 years earning my Masters degree.

While my parents were great and supportive - and all that jazz, they were NOT up every night forcing me to do my homework, or giving me lectures about paying attention, staying out of trouble, and turning my work in.

I hate that we have to do that for Alex. I wish he could understand how SERIOUS this is. That fun time during high school should be during lunches or before and after school; NOT when the teacher is trying to teach lessons.

Normally I am excited for the new school year; this year I am worried.

All of this started with a simple school supply list.