Allow this to be even partially theoretical. The last quarter has begun, and I am almost out of gluesticks and markers. I unwisely used my teacher budget on other important things. I could and probably should spend my own money, but I don't want to. What are your ideas for a cheap teacher?
Put a note in your newsletter requesting donations. You should not have to spend your own money on glue and markers.
I would be willing to bet there are boxes of glue and markers and other basic supplies hidden somewhere in your school. Hoarders, oops, I mean teachers tend to keep a stash of such things so that they never run out. Just ask around starting with your principal, secretary, librarian, and every aide and teacher at your school. Sometimes notes requesting supplies placed in key locations work, but I recommended the more effective face-to-face personal approach. Graciously take whatever they give you and eventually you'll have what you need! Don't forget to ask for anything else needed while you're at it.
I do have pencils upon pencils I can also trade, I suppose... See, in theory, I'm so good about talking up about how I don't believe in out of spending pocket... but I also make so many little justifications and it does add up a bit.
Definitely ask around. I have tons and tons of glue sticks, but I'm sure the primary classes have a lot less right now. Otherwise, see if any parents would mind donating any (some may have some sitting around, too). Also, check with your PTSA - perhaps they have some funds that they could put towards buying some supplies for you or for multiple teachers to cover some of those necessities. You might be able to talk to your admin, too, to see if there's any way of ordering some for general school supply with some leftover money.
Make your own? Many homemade types need to be refrigerated though. Kids seem to go through glue sticks way quicker than liquid glue (as long as they're using just a dot).
I don't think my students had seen bottled glue! I had a few bottles I put out for use when I saw our supply was going out and we had a craft... I had to stop and teach how to use a glue bottle!
It's common at my school for people to send out an all staff email asking if anyone has any extra _________ they'd be willing to part with. Like a pp mentioned, every time someone has enough _______ for an army. It doesn't hurt to ask! I am so cheap myself that if the only choice was to buy them out of my own pocket, I just wouldn't do activities that required markers or glue sticks. For example, I use dry erase markers and individual white boards constantly with my students. My building used to supply them, but they didn't purchase enough this year, and won't buy more because we're moving buildings and they don't want to have to move extra stuff. I know I'll run out by the end of the year, but at that point I'll just switch to using pencil/paper for those activities instead. I refuse to spend my own money on school supplies.
I just cleaned out a storage room that was a disaster. From what I found in there, I was able to give 12 teachers 4 dozen pencils, the art teacher received the glue bottles and construction paper. I still need to decide who is going to get the wipes and sanitizer. We found binders and file folders that a teacher and academic dean took. Ask around, see what other people have.
It gets to the point where if I don't purchase items like that, my students go without. Last quarter I sent a message to parents about needing pencils (about 70+ parents) and only received 2 boxes.
Here's something to discuss at your next staff meeting. In the spirit of sharing and working together, everyone can be asked if they would be willing to share their hoarded supplies with those who are working without necessary items: glue sticks, paper, pencils, erasers, rulers, markers, etc. Perhaps those with extra stuff can bring it to the lunchroom or workroom for others to take as needed. Let them know that teachers in need would have no problem recycling unwanted equipment too! Large items can be written on a list with the name of the teacher who wants to contribute to the give-away.
Make a note to yourself to ask for new supplies in December. Parents are way more generous and you can horde them for the last quarter!
I give kids home work passes to bring me stuff and I mention every parent teacher conference that I take school supply donations for passes. Now I do limit kids to using one pass per week because I did have one child bring me 2 grocery bags full of stuff so I gave her a big stack of passes. I usually just have to say "Hey we need hand sanitizer." And kids will bring it for those homework passes.
I have an embarrassing amount of gluesticks stashed in my closet. So much so that I took a box of them to my son's preschool class as a gift. Definitely ask around your school for them. Next year, do you have the ability to increase the number of gluesticks that you ask for on the school supply list? When it comes to markers though, I only let my first graders bring crayons. Markers bleed through paper, get on the desk and fingers, and run out faster than crayons. The only markers we use are dry erase markers on individual whiteboards.
Same here. It sounds like the politicians taking bribes from the oil and pharmaceutical companies to me!!!
