For The Record

Every job has its share of quirks. And every profession out there is going to get its share of grief in the public media. And I get it, back to school season is kind of like shark week. It's here for a limited time and the media has to capitalize on a short window of interest.

But NBC News....$600-$1000 in back to school supplies? Where is this reality? Does it include school clothing? Is this inclusive of college textbooks? I have been sending a child, and then two, to public school for six years. I have never spent, or been asked to spend, this amount of money.

Have teachers asked for donations of supplies for their classroom? Sure. Have I donated every year? Typically. Because you know what? One box of Kleenex in my grocery cart doesn't change my household budget enough to be noticeable. But if I had to buy all of the tissues for a classroom of 20+ all year long? And the sanitizer? And the surface wipes? And the paper plates for every snack. And the snack for the child(ren) who showed up without one once (or every day)....THAT would make it impossible to feed my family. And yet teachers do fill the gaps in funding.  If everyone donates one thing to the common good of their child and his/her peers, we're all okay.  If you can't or don't wish to, that's your business, but please stop degrading schools and teachers.

Here's my bottom line. We complain about how much the pencils and tissues and binders cost. We don't complain about the cost of the fast food we order mindlessly, or the iced pumpkin latte, or the lottery ticket, the latest video game.     Where are we placing our value?  What do our children see as being important to us as parents?  What is the message?  "Go to school and learn.  Your job is important?"  Not when we are publicly quibbling over whether parents should have to buy their children pencils.  Or paper.  Or binders.

I agree.  Times have changed.  It used to be that a child went to school and everything they needed for the job was there.  Kids came with pencil boxes and pencils for the sheer excitement of new school supplies.  Unfortunately, like the Cabbage Patch Dolls of the same era, those days are gone.  And they are hard for everyone.  Including the teachers.