School Opens, Your Child's Classroom Will Look Like Staples or Office Max

It's opening day.

If your child's new classroom this morning looks like Staples or Office Max that's because well, it probably looks like Staples or Office Max. During the last few weeks, Rye alpha moms have been burning up their SUVs between Staples in Portchester, Family Discount in Rye Brook and other assorted destinations stocking up on what have to be some of the most extravagant school supply lists this writer has even seen.

Stop the madness. The New York Times cataloged the school supply madness last week and we agree. Order the supplies we really need in bulk and send us the bill.

1. It saves time. There are about 3,000 students in Rye. Assume 1,500 families or 1,500 alpha moms. Each mom (or dad) spends at least one hour buying and sorting these supplies. That's 1,500 hours wasted. Remember, we are alpha and we are short on time.

2. It saves money. Buy in bulk.

3. It saves the environment. Estimated round trip to Portchester is 10 miles. Multiple by 1,500 trips (1,500 families) to find residents put 15,000 miles on their cars to buy pens. Divide by 15 (estimated mileage for alpha SUV, and I'm being generous). That means we can save 1,000 gallons of gas. We can also make eco friendly purchases such as recycled paper.

Witness our family's list for three elementary school students. Stop. The. Madness.

1 box of gallon Ziploc bags (girls)
1 box of quart Ziploc bags (boys)
1 box of baby wipes
1 disposable camera with flash (please label with your name)
1 two-pocket folder (plastic coated)
1 box Crayola Markers (12 ct. including peach) thick tip
1 box Crayola Markers (12 ct. including peach) thin tip
2 boxes of tissues
1 100-page marble composition notebooks 
1 box washable Crayola Thin Classic markers-8 count
1 box Crayola Tropical markers-8 count 
4 black felt tip pens 
2 highlighters any color
4 red pens 
1 zipper pencil pouch 
1 box of Kleenex 
1 box of anti-bacterial wipes
4 glue sticks 
1 bottle of anti-bacterial hand soap 
2 large erasers 
12 pencil top erasers 
48 pencils 
1 box of quart zipper bags
6 pkg. of 100 3x3 post-it notes
1- Orange Highlighter- Pen Style 
1- Yellow Highlighter- Pen Style   
2- Bic Medium Red Pens   
1- 100 ct. Black Spiral Comp. Book   
1- 100 ct. Blue Spiral Comp. Book   
1- 100 ct. Red Spiral Comp. Book   
2- 100 ct. Black Marble Comp. Book   
1- 60 ct. Filler Paper Wide Rule   
1- 25 ct. Centimeter Square Graph Paper 
1- Black Pocket Only Folder   
1- Red Pocket Only Folder    
1- Blue Pocket Only Folder   
1- Green Pocket Only Folder   
1- Maroon plastic pocket folder   
3x3 Asst. Post It Notes- 4/50 sheet pads 
1- 5” Sharp Scissors
1- Sharpie extra fine black
1- Sharpie ultra fine black
4- Black Dry Erase Marker-bullet tip
1- Standard Letter Clip Board
2 boxes 200 ct. Kleenex
1- alcohol free pop up wipes
12- No. 2 pencils
6- Pencil Cap Erasers
1- 20 ct. Asst. Construction paper 9x12
1- Pencil Sharpener
1 box 24 ct. Crayola Crayons
1 Elmer’s Glue Stick
1 4 qt. plastic supply box for storage

Comments

[RP]

We did the bulk supplies order last year and although it was package up nicely in a box with a handle for each child to carry home, the supplies were on the cheap side. Some things did not hold up well over the year. I agree it is much easier for us, Rye moms, and it is a plus to have the PTO get a percentage back but there should be a choice on what brand of supplies to buy.

I don't mind helping the teachers and have my kids have what they need but the supply lists are getting out of hand... the requests for "Peach Markers" is crazy. I heard they are hard to find. Things like rolls of paper towels should be something the school should supply.

[Lora Katsikas]

Osborn School grades 3-5 have the opportunity to buy in bulk which is great for even the non-alpha moms like myself. We're not all alpha moms! It's actually the teachers, however, who won't let the grades K-2 students buy in bulk.

[Wendy Hufford]

Our family moved from Rye, NY to Powell, OH and the PTO has implemented the bulk school supply program with great success. The order are discounted and packaged by grade (about $50 per class -- no deleting allowed) by the bulk supplier. Our life is so much easier and the PTO even gets 5% of the profits from the vendor from sponsoring the program. Rye should certainly do this program!!