Like every other high school student in Newton, my kid signed up for his classes last spring and received his class list several weeks back. None of the classes he’s taking are exotic electives or, as far as I know, new to the curriculum this year.
But unlike elementary and middle school students, high schoolers don’t have a list of supplies needed for those classes and won’t get a supply list until classes begin. I’m sure that’s easiest for the teachers but that means parents don’t have time to take advantage of summer sales, comparative shop or even this handy three day weekend to shop. Instead, we’ll be scrambling after school and after work to buy what we need, provided we can find it.
Last year, we spent the first night of the school year in a line at a certain office superstore that snaked all they way around the back. I fear we’re headed for a rerun this Tuesday night.
BTW, last year School Committee member Geoff Epstein vowed to look into this issue, writing
I am a rising high school senior at Newton South. As a freshman I remember getting school supply lists, and going to Staples with the long lines. But over the years I realized teachers don’t really care specifically about what supplies you have. Just that you have something to write with, some paper, and some organized storage system where you won’t loose things. I started off freshman year with 5 organized binders like teachers wanted, but then I realized all I needed was one big binder, or a trapper. I’m sure in college I won’t be getting school supply lists, so I think not getting them is a GOOD thing, and figuring out what supplies you need on your own is a good life lesson.
A sensible high school senior who appears to be using a real name — I hope you stick around the Blog, Robert Maratos, to provide a younger perspective.
I’m blown away by the amount of paper my girls still schlep around. How far are we away from digital text books? Kids should have the option to electronically submit homework on line in every class. Still killing a lot of trees in this city. We should be ahead of the curve. Way ahead.