Comments on: Going back to school the expensive/American way

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:42:13 +0000

Ha ha. Good luck with your wee ones. As an aside, I tried to buy a pencil sharpener not too long ago. All pencil sharpeners now have characters attached to them. I had to settle for a Nemo pencil sharpener. It feels slightly inglorious every time I take it out to use it.

By: Biddie

Biddie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:23:23 +0000

I have two girls in highschool this year (grade 9 and 12) and the expenses are more than most people can afford. I spent $400 on uniforms (daughter number one still needs new pants) and then, on the very first day you are expected to cough up another $120. That is before the girls come home with the list of ‘must haves’ from each teacher.

By: fishwithoutbicycle

fishwithoutbicycle — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:22:05 +0000

I used to love the trip to Woolies or WH to get myself a new pencil case and all the bits and pieces for the new school year. Ahhh halcyon days

By: Tarte Tartan

Tarte Tartan — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:40:57 +0000

Have just had a similar nightmare in France with ‘the list.’ Only managed to get 12 out 17 items on my son’s – bad mother that I am!

By: Alasdair

Alasdair — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:13:38 +0000

Jan – they have gone the way of Napier’s Bones and the Abacus …

Some of us still remember them fondly …

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:34:09 +0000

And whatever happened to logarithm tables, and slide rules? Though you’re much too young to remember either.

By: Expat Mum

Expat Mum — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:53:36 +0000

I think protractors come in about 7th grade – but don’t seem to be used anyway. (And are pronounced with a definite emphasis on the last syllable OR.)
And have you had the dreaded Trapper-Keeper on your list? I was looking for a model of a pre-historic reptile but it turns out it’s a zippy 3-ring binder.
At least we don’t have to find a “good fountain pen”, even tho’ mine go to a decent private school. My pen used to leak in my blazer pocket all the time.

By: Almost American

Almost American — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:10:06 +0000

Compasses? No, no, no, they don’t want the children to have weapons! Though of course a well-sharpened pencil is a good weapon too, and with 2 pencil sharpeners each they will surely have a good supply of sharp pencils!

My suspicion is that they give you such a long list because many parents buy nothing, so you are in fact supplying your children’s classmates. I’d feel sure of that if left-handed scissors were specified on the supplies list

By: Mom/Mum

Mom/Mum — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:52:25 +0000

Am dreading the time my little ones make it to ‘big school’ your blog hasn’t alieviated my credit card bill fears!

By: Brooklyn

Brooklyn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:18:28 +0000

There was an old Staples pre Back-To-School commercial with parents virtually dancing through the aisles, and their children drudging along in despair, with expressions like those I imagine graced the faces on stragglers of Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow. It was hilarious.