School started this week. And, as always, a list of school supplies came home last Friday at the teacher meet-n-greet. On the list, among other things, a 16-count box of crayons.
In case you are out of the elementary school loop, a 24-count box of crayons costs around $0.22 - $0.25, on sale. A 16-count box cost around $1.50 (I know!). So I purchased the 24-count. If it really makes a difference, we can purge the extra 8 and call it a day.
DS's teacher (2nd grade) made it a point to say "I did not want the 24-count box, I asked for the 16". So DS assumes I need to rush right out and get the right count. Um, yeah right!
So... I'm trying to decide how best to handle this. I explained to DS that he has the 16 crayons he needs, and he's fine with that. I'm not sure how to handle the teacher. I don't want to be a thorn in her side, but I wonder if teachers know the price difference or if they don't care. What's the big deal if there's 8 extra crayons?
So help me - what am I missing here? How would you handle this? Would you rush out and buy the 16-count? I can tell you I'm not doing that, but I want the teacher to know I support her and that I'm not trying to run my own agenda. It just doesn't make sense to me.
8 Crayons
August 25th, 2009 at 01:27 pm
August 25th, 2009 at 01:36 pm 1251207405
Take the crayons out of the box and put them in a portable travel size soap-dish box thing. They usually come in colored/clear acrylic and are at the Dollar Store. They are two pieces and can easily be opened by smaller hands. These are great because they last far longer than the cardboard boxes. Take out the 16 colors that you need and send it back to school.
I encountered the exact same thing when my DD1 was in 2nd grade. This is what I did and no one said a word, plus DD was the envy of her friends because of the "cool and neat-o" box.
August 25th, 2009 at 01:42 pm 1251207757
It also wouldn't hurt to tell the teacher that you bought the larger box because it was less expensive. You are willing to take out the extra crayons.
It could be the 16 count box size is what fits best in the desk or cubbie. That's what I've encountered before.
August 25th, 2009 at 03:46 pm 1251215160
August 25th, 2009 at 05:49 pm 1251222571
black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, violet, yellow, blue-green, blue-violet, carnation pink, red-orange, red-violet, white, yellow-green and yellow-orange.
LOL - this is insane!
August 25th, 2009 at 09:11 pm 1251234683
August 25th, 2009 at 10:13 pm 1251238388
August 26th, 2009 at 02:07 pm 1251295634
Perhaps having some kids with 24 crayons opens the door to 64 or 96 or larger sized boxes. It may not seem like that much but multiply 96 crayons by 30 second graders and you (the teacher) will spend your whole year picking up crayons. Most of the second graders I know are not good at keeping track of each individual crayon.
I think you are doing the right thing.
August 26th, 2009 at 02:56 pm 1251298589
August 28th, 2009 at 05:24 pm 1251480269
That's just preposterous, and IMHO teachers should have plenty of other things to worry about than whether a kid has 16 or 24 crayons. My mom was a teacher and she was concerned with the little kids coming into her class who spoke no English... and her changes in health insurance for teachers... and the fact that there were 5 more kids in her class than there were last year, but no more desks... etc. I like the idea of putting the 16 crayons into a cool carrier and calling it good. Put the other 8 in the teacher's gas tank. (KIDDING!)
Jerry
August 30th, 2009 at 01:28 am 1251595722
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm 1254522743
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:34 pm 1254522843
I wouldn't mention it to the teacher myself personally, unless she came back with more criticsm, then, I'd likely blast her with all my frugalness and ire at her silliness, UNLESS she had some clear, valid reason for asking.
It most likely has to do with self-esteem issues. Little Suzie is going to be upset if Rafeal comes in with the 36 count box and she's only got the 8 count box. It's the life lessons we old-timers lived through and got over. Today we all have to be 'the same'.
Well, news flash, we aren't! So folks should just learn to cope with our differences and enjoy them, rather than run around making everyone into little carbon-copy-cutout crybabies. IMHO.
Now, look, you done went and got me started!!
Needless to say, these are some of the same kind of 'silliness factor' reasons why the last two of mine were homeschooled.
And, all I really wanted to say is that I miss your blog posts. You okay?
July 27th, 2010 at 02:27 pm 1280240877