A Cuban mother residing in the United States has taken to TikTok to voice her astonishment and frustration over the extensive school supply list required for her child as the new school year approaches. The video, uploaded by user @laury0605, has garnered thousands of views, capturing her disbelief upon discovering that she didn't need to physically visit a store to purchase the supplies; instead, she could access official lists directly online through Walmart’s website.
"You go online and search for school lists on Walmart, or wherever you plan to buy the supplies. When you open the link, enter the name of the school and the child's grade, and the list pops up. It gets added to your cart and delivered to your home," she explained.
However, beyond this logistical revelation, the mother expressed outrage over the sheer amount of items required by the school for such a young child. "Can someone explain to me why a preschooler needs 12 glue sticks? (...) Six bottles of bleach. I imagine the teacher is going to be cleaning all day," she exclaimed, clearly baffled by the demands.
She also noted that the requirement is individual, not shared among students. "This is per child, two for mine, two for yours, two for the other," she added, highlighting the financial burden this might pose for families, particularly those with multiple children.
The post sparked a debate among other parents, with some relating to her situation and others defending the quantities as part of a collaborative model where parents contribute to stocking classrooms for the entire year. The issue of school supply lists in the U.S. often becomes controversial among immigrant parents, who may not be familiar with this system or the large quantities requested, even for the most basic levels.
Understanding U.S. School Supply Lists
Why do U.S. schools require so many supplies?
U.S. schools often require extensive supply lists as part of a collaborative effort to ensure classrooms are stocked for the entire year. This helps cover shortages due to budget constraints.
Can school supplies be purchased online?
Yes, many retailers like Walmart offer the convenience of purchasing school supplies online, where parents can find specific lists for their child's school and grade.
Do all parents have to buy the same amount of supplies?
Yes, typically each parent is asked to provide the same quantity of supplies for their individual child, which contributes to the classroom's overall needs.