Supplies for middle school (low income, how much, house)

[lovemaine]

Hi all!

Does anyone know about how much to expect to spend on middle school supplies? My older daughter is starting middle school here in NC this year. The school had an open house today, and between purchasing agendas, gym clothes, etc., I spend over $70. Plus I still have to buy a certain calculator, which costs $90! I was a bit surprised at how fast it added up. If anyone knows what we can expect when we move to Maine, I'd really appreciate the heads-up!

[Maine Writer]

We had to buy notebooks, pencils and pens, folders, a binder and a backpack. I'm a use-your-brain-not-a-calculator mom so we didn't buy one until Algebra I in 8th grade. It was $60. What kinds of things are on your list?

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

We had to buy notebooks, pencils and pens, folders, a binder and a backpack. I'm a use-your-brain-not-a-calculator mom so we didn't buy one until Algebra I in 8th grade. It was $60. What kinds of things are on your list?

Hi Maine Writer! Thanks for your reply! We also had to buy the basics like you listed. That was above and beyond the $70 I spent today. The calculator was a requirement. I would definitely also prefer for them to use their brains for Math! To need an expensive calculator like that for 6th grade seems crazy to me. Times are a-changing I guess! Thanks again!

[MaineMathTCHER]

I think it depends on your district. Here (way down east) my district doesn't expect them to come with much other than paper and pencil. It is a fairly low income district and we don't expect much in the way of supplies of students beyond the basics-we don't send a list home of supplies. As a teacher, I stock up on many items that I need for my class all summer on my own. But I have also worked in districts where parents needed to come up with about 150 dollars of supplies, and on the first day of classes we would take all the supplies from the kids and store them and use them as needed. It will all depend on where you move in the state-the further south the more money that will need to be spent in general.

[Future Trooper]

i seen this thread and thought i would add my 2 cents. here where i live in Central indiana plan on spending about $150 on school supplies and about $100-$300 on school clothes. here things are little more expensive because people here most likely buy school supplies from Staples and Clothes from Malls like Metropolis, Castleton Square, or Hamilton Town Centre

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by MaineMathTCHER

I think it depends on your district. Here (way down east) my district doesn't expect them to come with much other than paper and pencil. It is a fairly low income district and we don't expect much in the way of supplies of students beyond the basics-we don't send a list home of supplies. As a teacher, I stock up on many items that I need for my class all summer on my own. But I have also worked in districts where parents needed to come up with about 150 dollars of supplies, and on the first day of classes we would take all the supplies from the kids and store them and use them as needed. It will all depend on where you move in the state-the further south the more money that will need to be spent in general.

Thanks, MaineMathTcher! This is our first year dealing with middle school, so it came as a bit of a shock, especially being on a fairly tight budget. I'm used to buying the basics like paper, pencils, folders, etc. At the middle school we had to buy agendas, gym clothes, spirit wear, and other stuff we weren't anticipating. School starts next week here, since we're on year-round schedules. My daughter keeps asking when we're moving to Maine, because she can't wait to be on a traditional school calendar again! Next year, next year!!