Grrr. I'm getting a little frustrated with all the things that I can't seem to get my hands on for my classroom! (Or, the things that should be standard issue, but I'm having to buy myself! I've been to the teacher supply store three times in three days. Welcome to having my own class, I guess.)
First of all, I went to buy some corrogated paper stuff to cover the bulletin boards with. You know, that stuff that every teacher on the face of the planet uses to cover their bulletin boards? It comes in a myriad of colours, lasts forever, and is great for a background when putting up students' art or work. Well, apparently they don't make it anymore. At all. There are only small scraps of reeeally ugly colours left at my school. Out of luck. I have to cover the boards in paper now. Yick.
Then I went to Office Depot to pick up a specific type of box that I need for hanging folders. Apperently they don't make those anymore, either.
Picking up some photos at Future Shop, I discovered that their lab is down, so some photos I ordered online - that I needed that day - weren't actually there. But, oh, I could just drive downtown and pick them up. Right. Downtown. Ridiculous parking rates. Crazy traffic. Construction. Nuh-uh. I sucked it up and picked them up. I didn't really have a choice.
Class set of scissors. Can't get one at school. I bought a set. Scissors!!
Overhead projector and screen. I asked for one. I might get one. Maybe. In 3 months.
But the biggest irk is that my classroom, in the year 2006, only has ONE semi-working computer. Last year, teachers were able to order a computer, complete with printer/scanner for their classroom if they needed one. I was told I couldn't get one cause I didn't really need it in the music room. The teacher in the room I'm in now knew he wasn't going to be there the next year, so he didn't order one. Arg! But maybe the NEW teacher (ie. me) would want one? Standard issue these days should be a computer for the teacher, and at least three computers for the students to use. On the plus side, I just bought a 512mB jump drive on sale 65% off! Score! At least taht will make things easier taking files back and forth from home. But seriously, anyone got a free computer they want to give me? *rolls eyes*
Ok. Whining over.
My class is really coming along. I was going to try to get everything done today and take a four day weekend. Ah, I was so naive. My goal is to be there at 7am tomorrow, work till they kick me out at 2, then go climb Grouse Mountain. Yessss!
5 comments:
I hear your complaints. As a former teacher of Grade 1 and then grade 5 I know all about the frustration of not having the basics when you are getting ready to start a new year. And, all the extra time you put in before the kids actually arrive is exhausting. Good luck in your "new" job!
I put fabric on my bulletin boards. You can get it pretty cheap and it holds up better than just butcher paper.
I am at my first school ever to provide me with basic supplies. I came here and was flabbergasted when they offered me a stapler and hole punch.
Er, My work is giving away old computers at the moment, but I think there's quite a lot of demand for them, plus they run on 230 volts, oh and my office is quite a long way from your school.
Yikes, that's hard - come to Alberta......
That IS really frustrating. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask you if you worked in a private school, as the teachers at ours always have to dip into their own pockets to provide what is needed, but I guess many public school teachers have the same challenges.
I hope your year is a wonderful one--let the memories of your trip warm the cold winter days ahead!
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