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#31
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school supplies!
I have heard horror stories about the cost of supplies and I'm lucky in that regard. I spent $35 for two kids so I didn't think that was to bad. Wipes was the most expensive thing. Baby wipes are apparently an integral part of classroom education these days, lol. I think that was what confused me most, as DS is in a K class that is a continuation of preschool, it's a private preschool that has a small kindergarten class as well as the various larger classes for 2-5 year olds, so the last two years he never provided anything, other than snack on a rotating basis and bringing in small items for special events, they used baby wipes, I think they were costco ones, so someone was buying them in bulk. It seems like they have defaulted to public school format, I don't know how they will run the wipes system, whether each child will have to find their own or whether they will just use the packets in sequence until they are done and if they are doing that, why can they not just buy more of what they are already buying and up our fees by however many cents that costs? They give us 10 dollars a month discount for having 2 kids there, I'd rather not discount that 10 dollars and not have had to buy baby wipes! Cheers Anne |
#32
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school supplies!
In article , Anne Rogers says...
I think that's a lot of the issue-that there's some assumption that parents know what's going on. It's not just school, it's life! There are so many things that are just assumed, but don't necessarily have a clear explaination anywhere. An example of this was when we got our first property tax bill, DH paid it, after he'd done it and I found out, I remembered something about it being paid in with the mortgage and I only knew that because a friend had gone through her break down of fees due on the day of escrow so I could estimate ours and she murmered something about paying some tax and them holding it, or something. So I had no clear idea of what really happened and DH had missed it completely. The bill didn't say anything like "for information only", it was as far as we could tell the same bill that anyone would receive, regardless of how it was going to be paid. Well, if you get a bill you pay it, so he did. Then when we got the next bill, it was zero because we'd paid the last one twice so what was now due had already been credited to our account. When we looked at the mortgage statement, there were definitely some hints that tax was being taken, but it wasn't clear and through the whole process of getting a mortgage you give so many numbers that how can you know what the purpose of each was, they take homeowner dues into consideration when determining your loan amount, but they don't take your money and redirect it for you! It turned out the be quite inconvenient as because it was the first payment of a split year the tax people took it as 2nd payment rather than overpayment, so would not refund and mortgage never return anything whilst it's ongoing. Having just moved internationally we could have done with that cash rather than having a tiny bit removed from our capital and fractionally less interest over 30 years, our monthly payment dropped by a few dollars, but it was a drop in the ocean compared to the tax bill, which could have paid a few months preschool. ??!? They didn't discuss escrow with you when you obtained your mortgage? I can see how one spouse would not remember, but it sounds like you both weren't clear on it. Banty |
#33
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school supplies!
Banty wrote:
In article , Anne Rogers says... I think that's a lot of the issue-that there's some assumption that parents know what's going on. It's not just school, it's life! There are so many things that are just assumed, but don't necessarily have a clear explaination anywhere. An If you didn't understand it,you should have asked. It isn't necessary to blame this on 'things that are assumed'. You ask and keep on asking until you understand everything. Don't let them fob you off with some wonky explanation. When we sold our last house, the paperwork was such a mess that the closing took 3 or 4 hours. They had the wrong house address, the wrong name of the buyers, and a LOT of the money numbers on the documents were wrong. But we and our realtor sat there with the buyers and their rep and their little girl who was about 3, and the bank person, and made him straighten every single thing out until it was all right. It was their first house purchase and all of us ganged up on the bank man to make sure that it was done right for them. When my daughter closed on her house that she has now, she was in England. So my dh and I went to the closing after we did the house walk-through, and I picked up the check from her credit union for the things that are required to be paid right away. And of course they had not done the paperwork right and even though she had the check drawn for $500 extra, they were still $500 short. It was lucky that we were there and could cover it with our own check. example of this was when we got our first property tax bill, DH paid it, after he'd done it and I found out, I remembered something about it being paid in with the mortgage and I only knew that because a friend had gone through her break down of fees due on the day of escrow so I could estimate ours and she murmered something about paying some tax and them holding it, or something. So I had no clear idea of what really happened and DH had missed it completely. The bill didn't say anything like "for information only", it was as far as we could tell the same Because it isn't for information only. At least check with the bank. Weren't there also insurance, electric and other utility bills being dealt with at the closing. Also, it is possible that the bank WON'T pay the bill promptly like they should and then you would be in arrears on your tax bill and have to pay a penalty. Or they might transfer the mortgage to another bank, and the other bank doesn't get the payment notice in time. My tax bill on this house is $1672.00, and I pay it all at once because we don't have an escrow account. That's because we paid the mortgage off 5 years ago. bill that anyone would receive, regardless of how it was going to be paid. Well, if you get a bill you pay it, so he did. Then when we got the next bill, it was zero because we'd paid the last one twice so what was now due had already been credited to our account. When we looked at the mortgage statement, there were definitely some hints that tax was being taken, but it wasn't clear and through the whole process of getting a mortgage you give so many numbers that how can you know what the purpose of each was, they take homeowner dues into consideration when determining your loan amount, but they don't take your money and redirect it for you! It turned out the be quite inconvenient as because it was the first payment of a split year the tax people took it as 2nd payment rather than overpayment, so would not refund and mortgage never return anything whilst it's ongoing. Having just moved internationally we could have done with that cash rather than having a tiny bit removed from our capital and fractionally less interest over 30 years, our monthly payment dropped by a few dollars, but it was a drop in the ocean compared to the tax bill, which could have paid a few months preschool. ??!? They didn't discuss escrow with you when you obtained your mortgage? I can see how one spouse would not remember, but it sounds like you both weren't clear on it. Banty |
#34
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school supplies!
Welches wrote:
Try the (state) juniors #1's going into. They need for the start of year 3: (all named of course) pencil pencil crayons felt tips ruler glue stick homework folder rubber pencil sharpener small pencil case. My kindergartener was expected to bring (I am not kidding): 3 boxes of kleenex 8 glue sticks 3 boxes of crayons 1 pair of scissors 2 boxes of markers 2 boxes of pencils 6 folders in specified colors 1 full sized backpack 1 pair of shoes to be left at school We were informed that NONE of these were to be marked with her name except her backpack and shoes, because ALL of them are to be taken away from the students and go into a common pool to be shared as needed. I'm sorry, but this is absolutely absurd overkill. This isn't me supplying my child with school supplies, this is me supplies at least 2-3 children with school supplies, under some socialist "not all children can supply themselves, so the other parents must do it" mentality. Also, I can...sort of...live with her confiscating glue sticks and crayons and sharing those out as needed. But scissors? and folders? We labeled her scissors and folders anyway, and her teacher reportedly said "Oh, you're not allowed to share your scissors?" because I sent a note saying I labeled on -durable- supplies, but disposable ones she was free to share. Even my in-law's, who teach school, and my friend who teaches preschool and her husband who is a teacher was totally blown away by the absurdity of that school supply list. My older children's lists were slightly less ridiculous, but both of them had half of their paper supplies confiscated to go into the "common pool for when people run out." Gee, I thought when you run out, it was YOUR OWN responsibility to BUY MORE. Good grief. Michelle Flutist |
#35
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school supplies!
Banty wrote:
In article , Anne Rogers says... I think that's a lot of the issue-that there's some assumption that parents know what's going on. It's not just school, it's life! There are so many things that are just assumed, but don't necessarily have a clear explaination anywhere. An example of this was when we got our first property tax bill, DH paid it, after he'd done it and I found out, I remembered something about it being paid in with the mortgage and I only knew that because a friend had gone through her break down of fees due on the day of escrow so I could estimate ours and she murmered something about paying some tax and them holding it, or something. So I had no clear idea of what really happened and DH had missed it completely. The bill didn't say anything like "for information only", it was as far as we could tell the same bill that anyone would receive, regardless of how it was going to be paid. Well, if you get a bill you pay it, so he did. Then when we got [snip] They didn't discuss escrow with you when you obtained your mortgage? I can see how one spouse would not remember, but it sounds like you both weren't clear on it. I think that might be another example of cultural differences! From what I have read there are huge differences between buying a house in teh UK and buying one in the USA. Over here, you pay tax when buying a house, but it has nothing to do with property taxes going to the local council, it goes to the main government. Property taxes are charged completely seperately. I can completely understand that Anne's dh might not have realised that this bill didn't need to be paid. -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#36
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school supplies!
Rosalie B. wrote:
Banty wrote: In article , Anne Rogers says... I think that's a lot of the issue-that there's some assumption that parents know what's going on. It's not just school, it's life! There are so many things that are just assumed, but don't necessarily have a clear explaination anywhere. An If you didn't understand it,you should have asked. It isn't necessary to blame this on 'things that are assumed'. You ask and keep on asking until you understand everything. Don't let them fob you off with some wonky explanation. When we sold our last house, the paperwork was such a mess that the closing took 3 or 4 hours. They had the wrong house address, the wrong name of the buyers, and a LOT of the money numbers on the documents were wrong. That's another difference - in England all the paperwork is sorted out and signed in advance. On the day of completion literally all that happens is the buyer's solicitor (family lawyer) transfers money to the seller's solicitors, and the keys get handed to the buyer. (Well apart from the buyer and seller frantically removing all their belongings from one house to another - but legally all the paperwork is done.) [snip] Because it isn't for information only. At least check with the bank. Weren't there also insurance, electric and other utility bills being dealt with at the closing. In the UK, these are completely seperate from the house-buying process. The bills for these go with the person buying/selling not with the house. Actually just realised most people inform the utilities companies that they are now in charge of the bills within a day of buying the house, but the utility companies don't expect you to pay for things used before/after you moved in. Also, it is possible that the bank WON'T pay the bill promptly like they should and then you would be in arrears on your tax bill and have to pay a penalty. Or they might transfer the mortgage to another bank, and the other bank doesn't get the payment notice in time. The bank isn't involved with these payments: they give all the money to the solicitor, who is responsible for making sure everything gets paid. [snip] -- Penny Gaines UK mum to three |
#37
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school supplies!
Anne Rogers schrieb:
snip We were also provided with folders, which was quite helpful in some ways, as everyone had the same colour for each subject, blue for chemistry, orange for physics etc, which somehow made it easier all round, if I was getting folders from my locker and couldn't remember what class I had, I could just glance around and see someone from my class, see what they were holding and jog my memory. Our lists always specify colors of folders/notebook covers. German has red, Maths blue, Religion white (yeah, I grinned at that one), green and orange are for reading exercise sheets and a subject called "Sachkunde"* but I forget which is which as there's still nothing in either folder. They have to have two notebooks each in blue and red and which notebook style is also specified, and a folder per color, some large notebooks (plain white paper) in orange and white, one large notebook for Stories (I still have no idea whether or not I bought the right one, but whatever). For PE they have to get shoes suitable for indoor use, for arts they have to have 24 watercolors, crayons, A3 pad of art paper, a folder for putting art into that's larger than the paper, a sponge, an apron, paintbrushes (size and kind of bristles was specified). They are not to use feltpens or fountainpens, they need colored pencils, preferably triangular and thick, two pencils, also triangular and thick, an eraser, a ruler. Everything needs to be labled with the childs name... cu nicole *it's a mix of biology, chemistry, physics, home economics. They learn about the seasons and plants, animals, food,... |
#38
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school supplies!
Anne Rogers schrieb:
In germany we have different lined paper for the first 3 years of school. We start with three lines in a large format, then 2nd grade has the same lines but at a smaller scale, third grade only has the middle two lines. Ahhh, so that explains it! I think the French must have something similar. There was one point in time where the exchange rate meant that buying school supplies in France was a reasonable thing to do and I was always confused over the paper, which I think had 3 light lines in between each bold line. I didn't need it as we got our paper supplied, but I still bought the odd bit and no one batted an eyelid. Our school had quite strict rules about school bags and they ones that were permitted were generally quite expensive and didn't last any better than the cheaper ones I bought in France or maybe another European country most summers. I noticed on Australian soaps that they all have the same school bag! Cheers Anne That's what they used in first grade: http://www.brunnen.de/shared/upload/...546924_jpg.jpg Second grade is nearly the same only the lines aren't as far apart (more lines per sheet of paper) Here's what they use in 3rd grade: http://www.tl-buerowelt.de/images/Bi...r/bs0160bb.jpg And for maths they have graph paper with extra large squares... cu nicole |
#39
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school supplies!
In article , Penny Gaines says...
Banty wrote: In article , Anne Rogers says... I think that's a lot of the issue-that there's some assumption that parents know what's going on. It's not just school, it's life! There are so many things that are just assumed, but don't necessarily have a clear explaination anywhere. An example of this was when we got our first property tax bill, DH paid it, after he'd done it and I found out, I remembered something about it being paid in with the mortgage and I only knew that because a friend had gone through her break down of fees due on the day of escrow so I could estimate ours and she murmered something about paying some tax and them holding it, or something. So I had no clear idea of what really happened and DH had missed it completely. The bill didn't say anything like "for information only", it was as far as we could tell the same bill that anyone would receive, regardless of how it was going to be paid. Well, if you get a bill you pay it, so he did. Then when we got [snip] They didn't discuss escrow with you when you obtained your mortgage? I can see how one spouse would not remember, but it sounds like you both weren't clear on it. I think that might be another example of cultural differences! From what I have read there are huge differences between buying a house in teh UK and buying one in the USA. Over here, you pay tax when buying a house, but it has nothing to do with property taxes going to the local council, it goes to the main government. Property taxes are charged completely seperately. I can completely understand that Anne's dh might not have realised that this bill didn't need to be paid. It's charged separately here, too. As is home insurance. But some mortgagors insist on having escrows to assure the house doesn't get a lien from the governmental agency, and that it's covered by insurance. Banty |
#40
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school supplies!
Penny Gaines wrote:
Banty wrote: In article , Anne Rogers says... I think that's a lot of the issue-that there's some assumption that parents know what's going on. It's not just school, it's life! There are so many things that are just assumed, but don't necessarily have a clear explaination anywhere. An example of this was when we got our first property tax bill, DH paid it, after he'd done it and I found out, I remembered something about it being paid in with the mortgage and I only knew that because a friend had gone through her break down of fees due on the day of escrow so I could estimate ours and she murmered something about paying some tax and them holding it, or something. So I had no clear idea of what really happened and DH had missed it completely. The bill didn't say anything like "for information only", it was as far as we could tell the same bill that anyone would receive, regardless of how it was going to be paid. Well, if you get a bill you pay it, so he did. Then when we got [snip] They didn't discuss escrow with you when you obtained your mortgage? I can see how one spouse would not remember, but it sounds like you both weren't clear on it. I think that might be another example of cultural differences! From what I have read there are huge differences between buying a house in teh UK and buying one in the USA. Over here, you pay tax when buying a house, but it has nothing to do with property taxes going to the local council, it goes to the main government. Property taxes are charged completely seperately. I can completely understand that Anne's dh might not have realised that this bill didn't need to be paid. Yes I understand that there are differences. That doesn't excuse not asking the necessary questions so that you understand what all the numbers mean. It is a big purchase and involves a lot of money. It isn't at all similar to not knowing that you need 24 Crayola crayons. This isn't even a case of two cultures being divided by a common language. The math(s) are the same regardless. |
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