breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,917
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Aug 7, 2015 20:26:14 GMT
Our district (also in WA) had the pay for full day Kindergarten at some schools but not at ours (which only had half days until 2 years ago). Now all the kindergartens are full day (and free).
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Post by kristi on Aug 7, 2015 20:29:19 GMT
We resemble those figures (more for high school than elementary).
Between school fees, uniforms, new shoes, backpacks & supplies - easily $700. If I add in sports we are over $1,000.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 7, 2015 20:32:05 GMT
Sorry, I am going to win this one. My twins start PUBLIC SCHOOL kindergarten this month, and it is going to be $2840 each, or $5680 for the two of them. Public school. Carry on. Is that because the state only funds kindergartners as half day and if you want full day you have to pay more? ETA: Just read on and you already answered. Our district used to charge for half day if you wanted a full day of school. Most parents did because it was cheaper than daycare, for sure. Our district has many parents that both work full time. After a year or two, the district decided it was better to fund full day at the elementary school level and get the kids to want to not switch schools and stay in the district. In doing that, costs were cut at all of the other grade levels. Kindergarten should be fully funded by the government. It affects all of the kids in the district when it isn't.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 2:52:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 20:32:53 GMT
How on earth is that even legal? I can't wrap my brain around it. I'm sorry. You aren't legally required to send your kids to kindergarten. You could just skip it and not pay. That is how. That's really sad. I'm sure there are lots of kids who really need or would love the kindergarten experience, who's parents can't afford such a huge expense. Does your state offer free programmes in place of kindergarten for families who can't afford the tuition?
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 7, 2015 20:38:09 GMT
My kids were reading books by themselves by the time the left kindergarten. It is so important.
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Post by Merge on Aug 7, 2015 20:38:30 GMT
Middle schooler -
$75 choir fee $75 orchestra fee Instrument rental $45/month Private lessons (required for advanced orchestra) $200/month I estimate $50-60 in school supplies We don't need new uniform shirts or PE uniforms this year so that's a savings.
High schooler -
First year in a school with no uniforms so we have to build a school-appropriate free dress wardrobe mostly from scratch. That's expensive. I gave her a set amount in cash and it's up to her to shop wisely. I told her I'm not buying clothes again until it's cold enough for coats.
We spent $75 on supplies and $100 on the magnet fee for her school. I'm sure there will be other expenses but I don't know what they are yet.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 7, 2015 20:49:54 GMT
I've paid $50 sports fee for the high schooler plus $5 planner Middle school, $3 planner
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 7, 2015 20:50:19 GMT
My last child just graduated in May. We didn't have to pay any fees for sports (wasn't in music). We paid $150 for a calculator, about $40 in supplies (all year), $50 for a yearbook, $150 for graduation cap/gown/announcements, $75-100 for senior pictures, His school paid a majority of the price for his two years of AP tests. I think we paid up to $15 for each test. The school was on a three year grant. On the flip side of this, he graduated with 28 college credits that we paid about $600 in TOTAL for, mostly fees. So he got almost a full year of college credit in high school. So that is a little over $1,000 in total for a year of college classes. I think that was a win on our part.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,968
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Aug 7, 2015 20:59:05 GMT
Whew. Glad you shared. So this is for optional full day kindergarten. Kindergarten is free if half-day, right? So you're basically paying for half day day care? Next year will be completely free? That makes sense to me and is reasonable b
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,968
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Aug 7, 2015 21:00:03 GMT
Shoulda read ahead, lol b
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 7, 2015 21:13:20 GMT
You aren't legally required to send your kids to kindergarten. You could just skip it and not pay. That is how. That's really sad. I'm sure there are lots of kids who really need or would love the kindergarten experience, who's parents can't afford such a huge expense. Does your state offer free programmes in place of kindergarten for families who can't afford the tuition? I have no idea what happens in the rest of the state. I do not believe that there are such programs in my district. Believe me, I was being flip about the "how is it legal" -- that is technically how it is legal, but it seems pretty clear to me that most people believe kindergarten to be beneficial universally, and if there are kids who do not go because of the cost, that is infuriatingly short-sighted on our part. My state has no income tax and has property taxes that are capped. Public education here suffers for it.
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Post by elinoah on Aug 7, 2015 21:15:40 GMT
It can be crazy expensive.
School fees for 3 $135 Smallest photo pack available (school pics only taken during registration, not offered any other time) $42 for all 3 kids PTA fees $40 per kid $120 My kids go to an fine art school
Theater major dues $150 plus about $35 in supplies Vocal major $200 dues, rental of a tux $98, $10-30 per person for every show they have. Some shows are 10 some are 30. To attend the dinner theater show for my dh and I is $60. Vocal supplies about $60 Art dues $100 Art Supplies $150-$200
Back to school supplies at least $200 per kid and that does not include extra classroom supplies like kleenx, etc.
tennis shoes and gym clothes for each kid.
We are looking at 1800-2000 just to start school. It is very frustrating.
I usually can only pay a portion of the art fees and have to pay through out the year. It is fine to do that except for the vocal dept. I swear, I am going to be somewhere and get jumped and my legs broke for not paying those fees. That is the way they act anyway.
This year I wised up and started purchasing school supplies as soon as the stores had them out. I did not get the benefit of tax free shopping but at least I was able to space out over several checks.
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Post by tamaraann on Aug 7, 2015 21:19:12 GMT
First time I have 2 in high school. (Plus 1 in college.......sigh) I just added up the high school fees. This doesn't include Supplies, Photos or AP Exam fees:
freshman arch/eng $10.00 asb card $50.00 science fee $7.00 sports medicine $25.00 xc-fall sports fee $150.00 facilities fee $15.00 bsktball-wntr sports fee$150.00 bsktball booster club $20.00 ffa dues $25.00 junior asb card $50.00 chem fee $7.00 spanish workbook $35.00 cheer fall sports fee $150.00 facilities fee $15.00 cheer uniform/camp $753.19 cheer booster club $50.00 cheer road food $50.00 both parking pass $50.00 ptsa $30.00 family sports pass $125.00 yearbooks $120.00 TOTAL $1,887.19
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,968
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Aug 7, 2015 21:21:23 GMT
I believe kindergarten is beneficial but I don't believe that a full day program is necessarily better than a half day.
Full day is more convenient for parents, and obviously cheaper for them. There are pros to having a shorter day for little ones.
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Post by Miss Lerins Momma on Aug 7, 2015 21:25:27 GMT
We already got hit up for a $240 field trip... before school's even started!! They sent out the info, so parents can do a payment plan (which is nice). We've spent $100 on supplies for both kids, they are reusing their backpacks and lunch kits from last year. I can't remember how much fees are, but usually around $100 or so. Now we are working on clothes (fall clothes) and shoes. It is rather pricey and I'm sure as mine get older (10 & 6 now), it'll just get worse!
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 7, 2015 21:27:22 GMT
You aren't legally required to send your kids to kindergarten. You could just skip it and not pay. That is how. That's really sad. I'm sure there are lots of kids who really need or would love the kindergarten experience, who's parents can't afford such a huge expense. Does your state offer free programmes in place of kindergarten for families who can't afford the tuition? Oh, believe me, I am not defending it. That was my flip but legally correct answer as to how my district can do this. I actually didn't know about it until I sent my second child, as my first attended a Montessori kindergarten that was located in a school that was 90% free and reduced lunch, and, at the time, hath that meant that kindergarten was free because of the composition of the school, even though the Montessori class was mostly upper middle class kids (the district changed that policy). Imagine my surprise when I went to enroll #2 and was handed paperwork to pay (at the time) around $2400.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 2:52:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 21:29:03 GMT
That's really sad. I'm sure there are lots of kids who really need or would love the kindergarten experience, who's parents can't afford such a huge expense. Does your state offer free programmes in place of kindergarten for families who can't afford the tuition? Oh, believe me, I am not defending it. That was my flip but legally correct answer as to how my district can do this. I actually didn't know about it until I sent my second child, as my first attended a Montessori kindergarten that was located in a school that was 90% free and reduced lunch, and, at the time, hath that meant that kindergarten was free because of the composition of the school, even though the Montessori class was mostly upper middle class kids (the district changed that policy). Imagine my surprise when I went to enroll #2 and was handed paperwork to pay (at the time) around $2400. I didn't think you were defending it.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,968
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Aug 7, 2015 21:30:31 GMT
I'm assuming that first grade is free?
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 7, 2015 21:30:56 GMT
I believe kindergarten is beneficial but I don't believe that a full day program is necessarily better than a half day. Full day is more convenient for parents, and obviously cheaper for them. There are pros to having a shorter day for little ones. The empirical research suggests full-day is beneficial for kids, and may save money for districts in the long term because children need less academic support later.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
Jun 26, 2014 19:30:06 GMT
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Post by scrappinghappy on Aug 7, 2015 21:34:14 GMT
That's for full day. Half day is free. So essentially is replaces child care if you're a working parent.
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 7, 2015 21:35:50 GMT
That's for full day. Half day is free. So essentially is replaces child care if you're a working parent. We do not have half-day kindergarten programs.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Aug 7, 2015 21:39:37 GMT
I've bought all the boys' school supplies and spent 165. I've probably spent another $150 of clothes. We wear uniforms, so that keeps the costs down a little. I need to buy new lunch boxes still. All in all we will probably spend around $400 for the boys combined. DH and I are both teachers. We are the ones who make the back to school costs for our family skyrocket.
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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 7, 2015 21:58:19 GMT
Right now I am almost weeping in gratitude that we have very little we *have* to buy. There are a few things that we *could* buy, but for the most part, we are pretty much set and could go tomorrow without have to lay out any money at all. We have a back pack, uniforms that still fit from last year, and supplies from last year. We will need to pay the 'rental' fee for the ipad, but it is around $30/year. There is a class trip for seniors, but that comes toward the end of the year and generally dad pays for that. Sports don't require a participation fee, and all AP costs are covered by the school (they even pay two college application fees.) Dual enrollment is covered as well. No parking pass fee. I couldn't afford to pay what some of y'all are paying.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,968
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Aug 7, 2015 22:12:38 GMT
That's for full day. Half day is free. So essentially is replaces child care if you're a working parent. We do not have half-day kindergarten programs. That's an issue you should take up with your department of education/instruction. However, if kindergarten isn't mandatory, it may not make a difference. Many places don't even start kids in school until 6/7 years of age. Finland doesn't until 7 and they have one of the most respected systems in the world. I know there are many things that other countries do that would never work here, but I am a huge fan of Finland's approach to early education.
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Post by zztop11 on Aug 7, 2015 22:16:44 GMT
Sorry, I am going to win this one. My twins start PUBLIC SCHOOL kindergarten this month, and it is going to be $2840 each, or $5680 for the two of them. Public school. Carry on. What are you paying for in public school?
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Post by cyndijane on Aug 7, 2015 22:20:34 GMT
Sorry, I am going to win this one. My twins start PUBLIC SCHOOL kindergarten this month, and it is going to be $2840 each, or $5680 for the two of them. Public school. Carry on. Whaaat?? What's all that for? ETA: I should've read ahead- but was just stunned at first. I still think it's crazy!
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Post by zztop11 on Aug 7, 2015 22:21:47 GMT
Sorry, I am going to win this one. My twins start PUBLIC SCHOOL kindergarten this month, and it is going to be $2840 each, or $5680 for the two of them. Public school. Carry on. For WHAT? That's just insane. My daughter works at a private preschool in a major city where the tuition is over $15,000 for full day preschool. (On another $$$ related note, she receives nice gifts for the holidays and at the end of the year, etc. Just received a gift certificate for $200 to buy tickets for a show in this major city. It's so nice that the teachers are appreciated.
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cougarjo
Junior Member
Posts: 87
Jul 12, 2015 15:49:42 GMT
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Post by cougarjo on Aug 7, 2015 22:38:52 GMT
I don't have any set supplies to buy (school provides exercise books etc). So just pens/pencils. We have uniforms (England) and both my boys still fit their Blazers. Possibly new trousers, shirts, shoes. Less than £50 each child.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
Jun 26, 2014 19:30:06 GMT
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Post by scrappinghappy on Aug 7, 2015 22:41:17 GMT
That's for full day. Half day is free. So essentially is replaces child care if you're a working parent. We do not have half-day kindergarten programs. Second paragraph on your linked page: The Fees for full day kindergarten(FDK) for school year 2015-16 will be $2,840 per year, payable in 10 equal monthly installments of $284, or a lump sum of $2,840, or two equal lump sums of $1,420 each(in Sept and Feb). There are no fees for half day kindergarten. I called and you have to ask for half day and then it's free, even at the non state-funded schools.
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Nicole in TX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,951
Jun 26, 2014 2:00:21 GMT
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Post by Nicole in TX on Aug 7, 2015 22:46:42 GMT
Sorry, ignore.
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